What happened
On 14 October 2017, a privately owned Quicksilver Aircraft GT500, registration 9M-EAC, departed from the Sungai Rambai Aerodrome in Melaka for a series of circuits and landings. Shortly after takeoff, witnesses on the ground observed the engine beginning to run roughly. In an attempt to return to the runway, the pilot initiated a turn, but the aircraft failed to reach the threshold and plunged into a river.
The aircraft became submerged in approximately three meters of water. While the passenger managed to escape the wreckage and reach the riverbank with serious injuries, the pilot was unable to do so. Emergency responders later recovered the pilot's body from the submerged aircraft, and the cause of death was determined to be drowning.
The investigation
AAIB Malaysia investigators examined the wreckage, which was recovered from the river 16 days after the accident. Because the aircraft was submerged for over two weeks, fuel and oil samples were heavily contaminated with river water, rendering them inconclusive for testing.
Investigators also reviewed eyewitness accounts, which noted the engine's irregular performance prior to the crash. While there were conflicting reports regarding whether the engine had completely failed or was still producing some power at the moment of impact, the investigation focused on the loss of power as the primary factor. Additionally, inspections of the control surfaces and linkages revealed that certain damages were the result of the post-impact submersion and impact rather than pre-existing mechanical issues.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of engine power during the initial climb/maneuver.
- The pilot was unable to complete the return to the runway due to the engine malfunction.
- The aircraft's submersion in the river for an extended period prevented a definitive analysis of fuel and oil contamination.