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KUALA LUMPUR – PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS), the operator of the North-South Expressway, has given a detailed account of events that led to a light aircraft making an emergency landing due to technical problems on the highway near Sedenak in Johor today.
In a statement this evening, it said its Traffic Monitoring Centre (TMC) was notified about a missing aircraft from the Senai Air Traffic Control (ATC) radar at 10.55am, and was requested to monitor the highway and provide assistance if required.
“At 10.56am, the TMC received a call from highway customers notifying a light aircraft was sighted on the highway at Km47.8 (southbound) and it immediately deployed a PLUSRonda team to assist.
“At the same time, the Fire and Rescue Department and the police were also notified.
“Upon their arrival, the PLUSRonda team facilitated in managing traffic as well as providing a temporary safe zone with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and the police,” it said.
The highway’s Corporate, Community & Public Engagement head Syed Mohammed Idid told The Vibes that, based on PLUS’ standard traffic incident protocols, a two-man highway patrolling unit was deployed to assess the situation.
It must then relay information to the TMC, which must then update and coordinate emergency response teams from related agencies and authorities to provide ground assistance.
“Our standard traffic incident protocols are applied, whether it is (for) cars, heavy vehicles, motorcycles or aircraft. The procedure is to ensure the location is secured and safe for the highway customers by establishing a safe zone around the event.
“Traffic management is a priority in tandem with safety as relevant authorities and emergency response teams join the scene,” Syed Mohammed said.
Earlier today, CAAM CEO Captain Chester Voo had said that its ATC received a call from the pilot of a Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza aircraft requesting a return landing at Senai International Airport due to technical difficulties.
“The private aircraft, operated by Premier Air Singapore was en route from Senai to Melaka. The two Singaporean pilots on board are reportedly in stable condition.
“Search-and-rescue teams have completed all required tasks. The investigation will be conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau under the Transport Ministry,” Voo had said. – The Vibes, November 22, 2020
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