Cockpit voice recorder of Elmina plane crash to be sent to Florida

KUALA LUMPUR - The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of the Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier 1) aircraft that crashed near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam on Thursday will be sent to Florida for analysis.

This was revealed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook during a press conference with media members at the JW Marriott Hotel today.

Loke said that the CVR was sent to Singapore for analysis on Sunday, but the Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (STSIB) was unable to retrieve the last 30 minutes of recordings before the crash.

"There were some technical issues and constraints.

"So we have decided to send the CVR to Florida for further investigation," he said.

Loke said that the CVR will be sent to the manufacturer of the device, which he did not name.

"The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Transport Ministry will be discussing the matter as soon as possible, and we will be arranging to send the CVR to Florida by this evening or tomorrow," he said.

Loke urged people to refrain from making assumptions that Malaysia does not want to investigate the incident.

"We want to do further investigation, but we do not have the equipment.

"This equipment requires investment, but in an emergency situation, we have to ask for help from other parties," he added.

Loke said that the government has a budget for the investigation, and the cost is not a problem.

"This is a big responsibility for Malaysia, and we want to do everything we can to find out what happened," he said.

Last Thursday, the Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier 1) six-seater aircraft, crashed near Elmina, Shah Alam during its approach into Subang Airport from Langkawi.

The devastating crash resulted in the loss of all eight individuals aboard the aircraft, along with two additional casualties among road users.