KOTA KINABALU, Oct 12 — The transport ministry wants a detailed report on the MASwings Twin Otter aircraft crash in Kudat to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

Its acting minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, said a time-frame had not been set for the investigation to be carried out as aspects on technical, operational and environment needed to be taken into account.

“We need to make sure no stone is left unturned during the investigation. It (investigation) could take weeks or months. I do not want any speculation until the report is out,” he told reporters after visiting five victims of the plane crash at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 here today.

In the Oct 10 incident, MASwings flight MH3002 from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat crashed into a house at Kampung Sinsan in Kudat, about 190km from here about 2.50pm.

The crash killed the aircraft’s co-pilot, Marc Joel Bansh, 23, and Selangor-born Tan Ah Chai, 96, a passenger.

Hishammuddin said it might take a week for the plane wreckage to be sent to the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) hangar here before the technical aspects of the investigation could begin.

Meanwhile, MASwings chief executive officer Datuk Captain Mohd Nawawi Awang said MASwings was in the process of replacing the Twin Otter aircrafts with Viking models from Canada.

 He said the USD6.5 million (RM20.7 million) Viking aircraft had state-of-the-art technology and more comfortable seats which could accommodate 17 passengers and two crew members.

“Two of the Vikings are here in Sabah. One is operational, while the other one is in the process of transferring registration from Canada to Malaysia.

“One more will be delivered next month and three more next year,” he said, adding that MASwings currently had four Twin Otter aircrafts, down one, due to the crash.

Mohd Nawawi also said MASwings would play a role in the welfare of the victims of the accident, including the owner of the house into which the aircraft crashed.

Earlier, Hishammuddin visited pilot Captain Wan Mohd Abdul Amir Wan Yahya, 56, at the hospital's surgical ward, and Nurhazwin Sharon, 29, and Philippine national Merang Muharani, 52, at the orthopedic ward.

He also visited Isobella Abal, 26, and Fauziah Pelimin, 32, at the intensive care unit. Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman also visited the victims at the hospital. — Bernama