KUALA LUMPUR: The ill-fated aircraft that crashed in Kapar, killing two people onboard was supposed to be grounded, said the plane's manufacturer.
Blackshape, which manufactures the Gabriel BK160TR aircraft, said a "no fly-order" for the plane was issued by the company on October 25, 2023.
"The aircraft was taken into the air, in flagrant and patent violation of a 'grounding' order."
The Italy-based company said it also sent several reminders to the aircraft's distributor.
"This absolute no-fly order originated from the impossibility of verifying the condition of use and maintenance of the aircraft," Blackshape said in a statement to New Straits Times.
It also said there was a lack of "verified information and reliable reporting" about the users' compliance with stringent aviation maintenance requirements and procedures.
Blackshape said it reserved the right to take legal action for compensation and damages against those responsible for the violations and those who spread "false and defamatory" information to protect its reputation.
The company also expressed its condolences for the victims of Tuesday's accident, pilots Daniel Yee Hsiang Khoon, 30, and Roshaan Singh Rania, 42.
The plane which was operated by Aviation Safety Technology (AST), crashed shortly after departing from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, Selangor at 1.28pm for a recreational flight.
A representative of the Air Adventure Flying Club has said that the aircraft involved belonged to a foreign company that uses it to promote the aircraft in Malaysia. However, the company did not disclose further information about the plane's owners.
Earlier today, the Transport Ministry said the aircraft had a valid airworthiness certification under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The authorities are probing the cause of the accident and will release a preliminary report within 30 days.
A full report will be released in 12 months.
