Malaysia

Han Solo was icon to Elmina crash plane pilot: brother

Heikal Aras Abdul Azim, 45, referred to himself as the Star War hero, would fight among siblings over character

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 20 Aug 2023 6:49PM

Han Solo was icon to Elmina crash plane pilot: brother
The remains of Heikal Aras Abdul Azim, 45, being brought to his parents’ house before his burial. – Bernama pic, August 20, 2023

PUTRAJAYA – The pilot of the plane that crashed near Bandar Elmina, Heikal Aras Abdul Azim, 45, achieved his dream profession after becoming an ardent fan of Han Solo, the pilot hero in the Star Wars film series.

“So much as he called himself Han Solo every time he watched a Star Wars movie and would even fight among us siblings over the character,” recalled his brother Husnein Aras about Heikal Aras, who died in the plane crash on the Guthrie Corridor Expressway near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam, Selangor on Thursday.

“His interest also pushed him to become a pilot,” he said when met after the funeral of the late Heikal Aras, who was one of the pilots of the ill-fated plane, here today.

According to Husnein Aras, the deceased’s eldest son, Daniel Zulqarnain, 13, has also shown an interest in becoming a pilot like his father.

“We as a family can see when he often designs airplane replicas from cardboard,” said Husnein, who is a logistics officer at the army headquarters in Sg Besi.

In addition to Daniel Zulqarnain, the victim also has two other children, Suri Balqish, 10, and Rafael Dzulqairy, 9, from his marriage with his ex-wife, Christine Yong.

Husnein Aras said the deceased was always cheerful and kind. – Bernama, August 20, 2023

Related News

Malaysia / 2y

[UPDATED] Elmina crash: plane’s survivability virtually nil, report says

Malaysia / 2y

Report on Elmina plane crash out tomorrow: Loke

Malaysia / 2y

‘I miss you Daddy, we’ll meet soon in heaven’

Malaysia / 2y

[UPDATED] Audio from Elmina crash successfully retrieved in US: Loke

Malaysia / 2y

Elmina crash: rescued ginger cat dies

Malaysia / 2y

Elmina plane crash: PM donates to two victims’ next-of-kin

Spotlight

Malaysia

After Johor, the uncomfortable question for Anwar’s critics: Were we too impatient?

By The Vibes Says

Malaysia

Network School's business licences revoked, to cease operations tomorrow

Opinion

Orang Asli in Pahang: Token gestures or genuine recognition?

Malaysia

Tuition teacher sentenced to 105 years in prison and 70 lashes for raping daughter

Malaysia

Azam Baki denies involvement in RM178.29 million contract linked to brother’s company

Malaysia

Aminuddin urges NS voters to weigh manifesto promising benefits for M40 and B40 groups

Malaysia

No need to resign, PM has absolute power if there is doubt – Ahmad Zahid

World

Gaza’s water crisis deepens as families face thirst, disease and collapsing sanitation systems

You may be interested

Malaysia

Network School's business licences revoked, to cease operations tomorrow

Malaysia

Anwar: Malaysia’s debt ratio is falling, but legacy debt payments remain a heavy burden

Malaysia

Pemudah tightens action against illegal foreign business activities

Malaysia

Zahid denies BN-PN-GPS-GRS meeting rumours, reaffirms Unity Government commitment

Malaysia

Fahmi accuses KJ of playing race, religion card to rebuild political relevance

Malaysia

Good governance and political stability are essential for national prosperity, says Perak Ruler

Malaysia

AI Governance Bill to be tabled in Parliament after ministry, agency consultations

Malaysia

Sabah seeks additional RM1.61b allocation to fund state operations and development needs