http://www.intimes.com.my/nws/jan11/nws11011101.htm

flight was from KL to Kch.

haven't got sources for the english news yet. very slow.

any news coverage in english/bahasa? TQVM

Aircraft skids on KIA runway

Posted on January 11, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: Passengers of an AirAsia flight last night (Monday night) experienced a rude shock when the aircraft skidded on the Kuching International Airport runway upon landing.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?: Anxious members of the public wait at KIA for passengers and latest updates from ground staff.

The incident happened around 10.15pm during a heavy downpour.

Initially, sources said four of the over 100 passengers were unwell. Some of those involved are said to suffer from asthma and heart problems, but the seriousness of their conditions could not be established.

Ambulances were, however, seen rushing to KIA to attend to passengers.

After the plane stopped moving, passengers said a flight attendant instructed them to calm down.

At some point smoke became visible inside the plane, leading to the opening of exit doors and activation of emergency slides.

The Borneo Post received a call from Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan, who was on the plane with his wife Melinda Claudia, regarding the incident around 10.30pm.

He said the first thing he grabbed was his iPad as it contained important documents.

SHAKEN BUT WELL: Snowdan (front second left) speaks to reporters.

“As we were seated in front, my wife and I were among the first to get off the plane. In fact my wife went out after me. I had to save the iPad,” he said.

Snowdan, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) deputy secretary, said he travels regularly and had never had such a bad experience before.

He even lost his shoes in the mud. He and several others had to walk barefooted to the fire and rescue centre where they received attention from airport staff.

Snowdan said there were several children on the plane and most passengers were badly shaken by the ordeal.

He said it was possible the plane’s front tyre might have been damaged because he felt the plane was tilted at the front.

PLEASE HELP: A woman tries to get information from a staff member.

Around 11.30pm at the airport lobby, relatives and friends of the passengers as well as members of the media were seen waiting for news.

The flight had taken off from Kuala Lumpur around 7.40pm.

Prior to the incident, Snowdan said he had a premonition something bad was going to happen.

The first sign, he said, was when a disco ball dropped on the stage of the Anugerah Juara Lagu concert in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday night.

YOU'RE OKAY: Passengers console each other after the ordeal.

The second was when a child started crying in the plane a few minutes before landing.

He said there was turbulence during the flight, probably because of the heavy rain.

“Fortunately, there was no report of fatality. However, most of us passengers were shaken,” he said, jokingly adding that there would not be a by-election because he had survived.

Meanwhile, a few AirAsia flights were reportedly cancelled today (Tuesday).

A regular traveller said no reason was given for the cancellations.

“If it was not because of last night’s incident, then it should be due to the heavy rain today,” he said

dropped disco ball, heavy rain, ipad & lost shoes. Thankful everyone was safe and sound.

one victim said "..after the crash, the pilot was no where to be found...".

maybe he lari first.

the pilot & co-pilot pulled a Houdini act?

& no by election

i don't understand why they put this as "skidded off track" it is a crash landing instead.

Available Images





Cranes Clearing...


@5pm, MAS Took off and the plane is still there.
18 hours of effort and inefficiency.