No foreign objects in engine parts, says air crash preliminary report

KUALA LUMPUR: There was no evidence of foreign object intake, bird feathers or matter in any of the engine components of the Hawker Beechcraft 390 aircraft that crashed in Selangor on Aug 17.

According to the preliminary report by the Transport Ministry’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released on Friday (Sept 15), the fan shroud also did not exhibit any evidence of blade liberation such as case dents or perforations, based on visual inspection.

“The starter, hydromechanical unit (HMU) and gearbox had all detached from both the right and left engines. Both engines had no evidence of blade liberation… at the compressor section.

“Whereas the aileron system (hinged flight control surface on the wing) from the control column to the left and right ailerons, the aft sector and the left wing inboard sector could not be definitively identified due to wreckage fragmentation,” said the report.

ALSO READ: Plane crash: Further analysis of wreckage needed before final report can be ready

The report stated that all of the remaining aileron system control sectors and their associated fittings were either intact or showed damage consistent with overload, while the left and right aileron trim actuators were extended 4.8cm (1.9in).

As for the aircraft flap system, a total of eight flap actuators were found at the wreckage site including two actuators that were separated from their control rods.

The report noted that the flap actuators were all in the “down” position (fully extended).

However, it could not be determined exactly where each actuator was installed on the aircraft due to wreckage fragmentation, the report added.

Furthermore, the hydraulic spoiler control module was impacted and thermally damaged, and had been retained for further examination.

“The spoiler control unit was also thermally damaged. The lift dump actuators, roll control actuators and the pull (blow) down actuators have been removed for further examination,” the report said.

ALSO READ: Air crash not survivable due to magnitude of deceleration force, says preliminary report

The left and right main landing gear assemblies remained intact to their respective wing attachments and exhibited thermal and impact damage.

However, the right main landing gear actuator piston was impact-separated and the left and right main landing gear actuators were found in the fully extended (down) position.

On Aug 17, the aircraft which departed from Langkawi International Airport, Kedah to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Selangor crashed while manoeuvring for landing.

The aircraft was destroyed following the impact and subsequent fire, which killed all eight occupants on board as well as two others on the ground, a delivery rider and an ehailing driver.

The AAIB noted that the report contains a statement of facts which have been determined up to the time it was issued, and should be regarded as tentative and subject to alteration or correction if additional evidence becomes available.

In an accompanying statement, the ministry said the final report of the investigation will be completed no later than August next year in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO Annex 13), which allows for a 12-month period to finalise the document following the accident. – Bernama