1976 Sabah Air Crash: Malaysia Declassifies Crash Report Revealing Cause After 46 Years

1976 Sabah Air Crash: The June 6 crash is known as Double Six because of the date and it killed several senior officials of the Malaysian state Sabah. The report remained classified for over 46 years.

File Photo: Earlier this month, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that the Sabah Air Crash Report would be released as relatives of the victims and the wider public demanded disclosure.

Source : Getty Images

Malaysia finally revealed what caused the 1976 plane crash that killed several of its top state politicians. The country declassified a report that said the Australian-made turboprop was loaded improperly which made the pilot lose control. The Nomad plane was made by the Government Aircraft Factories of Australia and crashed nose-first into the seabed upon approach to landing in Sabah state capital Kota Kinabalu.

The crash killed all 10 passengers and the pilot, according to the 21-page report released Wednesday, as reported by news agency Bloomberg.

The probe did not find evidence of aircraft malfunction, sabotage, fire, or a blast.

As per Malaysian news agency Bernama, the June 6 crash is known as Double Six because of the date and it killed Sabah’s Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens and the state’s housing and local government minister, finance minister, and minister for communication and public works.

Earlier this month, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that the report would be released as relatives of the victims and the wider public demanded disclosure. Officials were yet to explain why it was classified for so long, the Bloomberg report said.

Incorrect Loading Affected Center Of Gravity: Sabah Air Crash Report

According to it, the crash report said that the 42-year-old pilot of the Sabah Airplane wasn’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but one of his previous log books was reported to be burnt, while another was stolen.

As per the report, records on his performance and training said his performance and training were “poor” and “marginal”. The pilot was “reasonably fit” but evidence shows he was tired and dealing with a stomach disorder.

The aircraft could have two pilots, but one of them was removed for a 10th passenger to get on the plane in Labuan, occupying the co-pilot’s seat.

The aircraft was also carrying luggage from another flight which had departed earlier. Incorrect loading affected its center of gravity, the report said.

It was further mentioned that the pilot didn't notice the incorrect distribution of the load when he took off.

As per Bloomberg, the probe team involved officials from Malaysia’s Civil Aviation Department, Air Force, and Australian Department of Transport officials. The crash report was prepared on January 25, 1977.