MASwings twin-otter plane nosedives into drain

MIRI, Nov 7 — A MASwings-owned twin-otter plane nosedived into a small drain after slipping off the runway, upon landing at the Marudi airport today.

The two pilots and 17 passengers on MH3562 were reported safe, except for a 26-year-old woman who sustained a swollen leg and received outpatient treatment.  Marudi police chief DSP Abu Bakar Mokhtar said the plane had left Miri airport at 2.19pm in fine weather before the incident occurred at 2.33pm.

“I estimate the slip to be at 40 metres off the runway, with the plane’s front plunging into a small drain nearby,” he told Bernama here.  He said the airport had been temporarily closed to manoeuvre it back on course.

The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has begun investigations into the incident.

Meanwhile, MASwings Corporate Communications said, whilst the Marudi Airport runway was still open for flight operations, MASwings had despatched an investigation team from Miri for recovery and rescue.

The airline would extend its full cooperation to the DCA investigating the incident, it said in a statement.  — Bernama