RMAF chief Gen Affendi Buang said the board would also identify what problems the aircraft was experiencing before it crashed.

He said although the aircraft had been in service for over 20 years now, it was still in good condition as it had always undergone its scheduled maintenance.

“Although it is a 20-year-old aircraft, it never experienced engine failure and the weather during the training session was not a problem,” he told reporters after visiting the victims of the crash at the Seberang Jaya Hospital here yesterday.

He said the incident, which occurred at about 5.18pm, involved a senior pilot and three other crew members.

Meanwhile, Deputy Defence Minister Mohd Johari Baharum said he was saddened over the incident that claimed the pilot’s life.

He said the most important thing to ensure now was that all injured victims were treated and a post-mortem conducted on the pilot who perished.

“We’re also proud of the RMAF rescue team who worked hard and with speed to save the victims trapped (in the aircraft) after the crash,” he said, adding that welfare assistance would be given to the victims’ family members.