KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has called on the government, especially the Transport Ministry, to review and tighten the operating requirements for aircraft operator companies following the release of the preliminary report of the Kapar air crash.
In a statement, its deputy youth chief Mike Chong, also urged the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to establish and strengthen reporting systems to ensure that all relevant parties followed established guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP).
"The preliminary report issued by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the BK 160 Gabriel aircraft crash in Kapar on Feb13, resulting in the loss of two lives, demands serious attention from the government, especially the Transport Ministry.
"Among the stated causes of the accident are unauthorised maintenance work carried out by unqualified personnel, the aircraft exceeding its maximum weight limit, and suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in the cabin.
"We are not pointing fingers at anyone, but it is evident that this fatal accident could have been avoided if not for the disregard of regulations and the lax attitude of the aircraft operator company towards maintenance procedures."
"Therefore, MCA has called on the Transport Ministry to reassess and enhance the operational prerequisites for aircraft operators to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
"As such, the CAAM, responsible for monitoring and enforcing safety aspects, should be empowered for this purpose.
"Additionally, CAAM needs to establish and strengthen reporting systems to ensure that all relevant parties adhere to established guidelines or SOP."
It added that the tasks and roles of enforcement agencies needed to be centralised, with swift action taken against any party failing to comply with the appropriate regulations or SOP to ensure the safety of all parties, including the general public.
Yesterday, the preliminary report on the Kapar air crash on Feb 13 found that irregular maintenance activities had been performed on the aircraft.
The report, published by AAIB, also found that the aircraft's actual take-off weight had exceeded the maximum take-off weight limitation.
It was also found that the aircraft continued to be flown during the period when the aircraft was supposed to be grounded.
