A Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft crashed today near the munitions terminal of the Butterworth airbase, killing the pilot and injuring three other people on board.

The Beechcraft B200T plane went down at 5.18pm, said an RMAF statement.

It also said that the injured were taken to the Seberang Jaya Hospital.

The statement said the RMAF was notifying the next-of-kin of the dead and injured.

It said the RMAF would set up a team to investigate the incident.

According to the RMAF official portal, the ill-fated aircraft had been used for maritime surveillance by the 16 Squadron based at the Subang airbase.

The main task of the 16 Squadron is to provide early warning and immediately report the identification of vessels in territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The squadron also monitors and reports on the activities at oil rigs and fishing zones, monitors and patrols occupied and claimed reefs, and monitors and reports on the infiltration of illegal immigrants and also activities that contribute to marine pollution.

The 16 Squadron has greatly assisted government agencies to reduce crime and smuggling in the EEZ.

- Bernama