Singaporean pilot died in plane crash off Pontian while training in Malaysia

A Singaporean was killed after the light aircraft he was piloting crashed in Pontian, Johor, Malaysia. 

According to The Star newspaper, the pilot has been identified as 25-year-old Samuel Ling Shi Min. 

His body was found under the plane wreck in the plantation. 

Malaysian police say authorities are still investigating what caused the crash. 

The aircraft is believed to have taken off from Senai airport at about 12.30pm on a routine training exercise. 

It later crashed at about 1.30pm in Kampung Parit Puasa in Ayer Baloi, some 16 kilometres from Pontian. 

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or MFA, says it is in contact with the next-of-kin of the deceased Singaporean. 

The Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru is in contact with the Malaysian authorities. 

The MFA spokesman added that consular staff have been despatched to the crash site in Pontian to provide all necessary assistance.