The Civilian Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has announced the suspension of all flight operations involving Blackshape aircraft models BS 115, BK 160, BK 60-200 and BK 160TR in Malaysian airspace starting from Wednesday (March 20). The suspension is in line with the Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) (AD No.: 2024-0074-E) issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) to the aircraft manufacturer on Monday (March 18). The EAD mandates the suspension of all flight operations for all Blackshape aircraft effective March 20, following a recent fatal accident involving a Blackshape aircraft that raised concerns over safety standards.
In a statement on Tuesday (March 19), CAAM’s CEO, Datuk Capt Norazman Mahmud, emphasized the organization’s commitment to prioritizing flight safety in Malaysia. He also stated that CAAM will take necessary action to ensure safe flight operations.
The fatal accident in question involved a Blackshape Gabriél BK 160TR that was managed by Aviation Safety Technology Pte Ltd of Singapore. The aircraft crashed in an oil palm plantation in Kampung Tok Muda near Kapar, Selangor at around 1.36 pm on Feb 13 after taking off from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Subang, Selangor, resulting in the loss of both people onboard.
