KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 — A Malindo Air flight experienced an engine fire on its way to Kuala Terengganu today and was forced to return to Subang Airport, the airline has confirmed.
According to an earlier report by The Star today, the plane was carrying members of the Terengganu football team back to the state following their match against ATM FA last night.
The report showed an image of what appeared to be flames emitting from the port-side engine of the Malindo turboprob plane, which the newspaper credited to Terengganu footballer Faiz Subri.
Today’s is the latest in a string of aviation incidents to affect Malaysian planes since the sensational disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on March 8.
On its @Terengganu_FA Twitter page, the club said the 7.30am flight carrying the team’s players had safely landed back at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.
No casualties were reported among those on the plane.
The team added that they were now on another flight bound for Terengganu.
In a statement following the incident, the newest local airline confirmed that the plane experienced the fire at 7,000ft during its ascent.
“The aircraft fire detection system was activated and immediately the operating crew carried out the emergency checklist as per the standard operating procedure to contain the situation,” it said.
The captain then opted to return to the airport and landed without further incident.
Malindo Air added that the cause of the incident is currently being investigated and has been reported to the relevant authorities, engine and aircraft manufacturer.
Malindo is a joint venture between Malaysia’s National Aerospace and Defence Industries (NADI) and Lion Air of Indonesia.
It was incorporated in 2012 and began competing in the low-cost carrier market in 2013.
As of May last year, Malindo Air said it had flown a total of 50,000 passengers.
