What happened
During a scheduled logistics operation conducted by the 48th Squadron, an aircraft was performing a supply delivery for the 2AST SAS unit based in the Cameron Highlands. After successfully completing the mission objectives, the pilot-in-command initiated a right-hand turn to depart the area.
During this maneuver, the right wing of the aircraft made contact with a tree. This impact caused the aircraft to become uncontrollable, leading to a crash within a heavily wooded region. Search teams located the wreckage several hours after the incident. There were seven fatalities among the crew members, with no survivors reported.
Findings
Investigations into the accident concluded that the primary factor was that the aircraft was flying at an insufficient altitude and airspeed during the turn. The pilot-in-command failed to accurately estimate the clearance required between the flight path and the surrounding terrain obstacles.