PETALING JAYA: Investigations into the light aircraft crash in Ipoh have begun, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said that the crash was believed to happened after Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) received a mayday call at 8.07pm from the aircraft on a night training flight at Sungai Pinji, near Medan Gopeng, Ipoh, Perak after taking off from Sultan Azlan Shah Airport on Monday (Aug 1).

One of the two people on board, 52-year-old flight instructor and retired fighter pilot, Mejar (Rt) Fajim Juffa Mustafa Kamal was killed while another flying instructor Muhammad Din Fikri Zainal Abidin, 62, is currently being treated for head injuries at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital.

“I am extremely saddened to have received this update. Let us hope and pray for the strength of their families,” Dr Wee said on Facebook.

Dr Wee added that thorough investigations would be underway in order to prevent another similar incident from occurring in the future.

“CAAM and AAIB (Air Accident Investigation Bureau) will be investigating this incident in-depth in accordance with Part XXVI Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.

“It is very tragic for this incident to have occurred and we must do everything we can to ascertain the causes and ensure more safety,” added Dr Wee.