FREAK ACCIDENT: Police and firemen check the Piper PA-28 aircraft which crashed on the Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin highway near the Cheng Height condominium. — Bernama photo
MELAKA: The pilot of a light aircraft sustained minor injuries when it crashed in the Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin highway near the Cheng Height condominium yesterday.
P Devenessrao, 20, from Bahau, Negeri Sembilan, a trainee of the Malaysian Flying Academy, was alone in the Piper PA-28 at the time of the incident, just after noon.
He sustained head and neck injuries and was warded at the Melaka Hospital.
A witness, Zameri Nawi, 50, from the Melaka Tengah police headquarters, said he noticed the aircraft tottering about noon before it struck the branches of a tree and crashed on the road.
He was speaking to reporters when met at the scene of the crash.
Meanwhile, state public order and traffic police chief Supt Ahmad Adnan Basri said Devenessrao left the Melaka International Airport in Batu Berendam at 11.15am for flying practice before making an emergency call to the control tower, 41 minutes later.
He said the aircraft later crashed about 30 metres from the condominium before the pilot emerged with minor injuries.
“Policemen have been stationed at the site of the crash while awaiting a team from the Department of Civil Aviation to investigate the cause of the crash,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jalan Kubu Fire and Rescue Department chief, Deputy Superintendent Yazid Mohd Tahir, said firefighters sprayed the aircraft with foam to prevent fire as a fuel leak was detected. — Bernama