Singaporean pilot unhurt as light plane crashes in Johor

SINGAPORE — A Singaporean crash-landed a light aircraft on a golf course in Johor today (Nov 20), escaping with only minor injuries.

A Senai International Airport spokesman told the New Straits Times that the pilot was on a training session and made an emergency landing around 1pm when he encountered technical difficulties after taking off from Senai International Airport. The pilot, said to be in his 30s, has been admitted into Kulai’s Temenggung Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim Hospital, according to the Rakyat Post.

A Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said Singapore’s Consulate-General in Johor Baru was aware of the incident, and was in contact with the affected Singaporean. “We understand that the Singaporean sustained minor injuries and is seeking medical treatment. Our Consulate-General is rendering the necessary consular assistance to the Singaporean,” the spokesperson said.

Photos circulating in a Facebook group show that the plane crashed into a tree at the border of a golf course, near a residential area. The golf course has been identified as IOI Palm Villa Golf & Country Resort, which is less then 5km away from the Senai Airport.

The left of the plane, including its propeller, fuselage and wing, were damaged from the impact of the crash. The right wing of the plane also seemed to have broken off from the impact of the landing. The plane is believed to be a Piper Archer PA28 aircraft.

TODAY understands that the plane is owned by a member of FRAS flying club in Johor, which has seen members involved in other accidents as well over the years. In 2012, a member of the club, Samuel Ling, died after he crashed a light aircraft into an oil plantation near Pontian in Johor while flying solo. 

A Singaporean who has flown light aircraft in Johor told TODAY that he had seen the plane take off at Senai International Airport, and recognised it as one belonging to an acquaintance from FRAS, although he was unable to identify the pilot.

Noting that the weather was clear today, the businessman, who declined to be named, also said that pilot training programmes in Johor have fairly strict regimes in place. “There is a very well-placed system to run the student through their flight-training abilities leading up to their first solo,” he said, adding that all training programmes are accessed by the Department of Civil Aviation in Johor. 

The hospital and the Johor authorities declined to comment when contacted, while FRAS could not be reached. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY WONG PEI TING