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10 fatalities

Nighttime CFIT Incident Involving Twin-Engine Aircraft Near Bandar Seri Begawan (9M-MIA)

Miri, MalaysiaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 6, 1997, a Dornier DO228 (registration 9M-MIA) operated by Royal Brunei Airlines - RBA was involved in an aviation accident near Miri, Malaysia during landing or approach. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended below the minimum safe altitude for unknown reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft crashed into Mount Lambir during a night descent after failing to acknowledge an approach clearance. All 10 occupants were killed in the accident.

Flight Details and Approach Clearance The twin-engine aircraft departed Bandar Seri Begawan Airport at 1903 local time on a scheduled flight to Miri, Sarawak. At 1936 local time, the crew received clearance for an approach to runway 02 but did not acknowledge the instruction. ## Impact and Recovery Six minutes after the clearance, while descending at night, the aircraft struck the slope of Mount Lambir, which has an elevation of 500 metres. The impact site was located 13.7 kilometres from the airport. The wreckage was discovered the following morning at 0710 local time. ## Casualties All 10 occupants aboard the aircraft were killed in the accident.

Probable cause

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended below the minimum safe altitude for unknown reasons.
Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 Sept 1997 Dornier DO228 accident near Miri, Malaysia?

A twin-engine aircraft crashed into Mount Lambir during a night descent after failing to acknowledge an approach clearance. All 10 occupants were killed in the accident.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 Sept 1997 Dornier DO228 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 10 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 Sept 1997 involved a Dornier DO228, registration 9M-MIA, operated by Royal Brunei Airlines - RBA, at Miri, Malaysia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended below the minimum safe altitude for unknown reasons.

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