KUALA LUMPUR: A review of crew training and the regulatory framework are among the five key safety recommendations made by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) following its investigation into the Elmina plane crash.
In the final report released on the Transport Ministry's website today, Jet Valet Sdn Bhd is also advised to improve its compliance with regulatory requirements, enhance organisational oversight, and refine its operational procedures.
Jet Valet is the company operating the ill-fated aircraft during the tragedy.
"For review and reinforce crew training, Jet Valet Sdn Bhd should enhance training programmes for all crew members, emphasising proper checklist procedures, crew resource management, and the criticality of adhering to established protocols.
"Special attention should be given to systems unfamiliarity and the operation of critical systems such as the lift dump system," the report said.
The report said the company must ensure full compliance with civil aviation regulations in terms of compliance with regulatory requirements.
This, it said, should include obtaining necessary approvals for non-scheduled air services and adhering to seating protocols outlined in aircraft manuals.
"Regular audits and oversight should be conducted to identify and rectify any regulatory compliance gaps," it said.
The report suggested enhancing organisational oversight, where Koperasi Amanah Pelaburan Bhd and Jet Valet should implement a robust safety management system, promoting a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
It said this includes establishing clear lines of responsibility, improving communication channels and conducting regular safety audits and assessments.
"To enhance operational procedures, Jet Valet Sdn Bhd should review and update operational procedures to include clear warnings and briefings on critical systems, such as the lift dump system.
"This is to ensure all crew members are fully aware of associated risks and procedures for safe operation," the report read.
Koperasi Amanah Pelaburan is the parent company of Jet Valet.
The report also calls for the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to review the current regulatory framework and appropriate level of oversight of foreign aircraft operations in Malaysia by foreign licensed aircrew to ensure safe operation.
The review should include an assessment of licensing requirements, training standards and operational protocols to ensure compliance with international aviation safety standards and mitigate risks associated with foreign aircraft operations.
Earlier, in the report, AAIB said the cause of the Elmina air crash that occurred last year was due to loss of control inflight.
It found that the primary cause of the accident was the inadvertent extension of the lift dump spoilers, most likely by the pilot who was the second-in-command, during the Before Landing checks.
The crash killed all eight people onboard, along with two road users.