Board of inquiry blames Nuri crash on pilot’s decision

The final report of the Nuri crash 

KUALA LUMPUR: The decision by the pilot of an ill-fated Nuri helicopter to fly low over hilly terrain at Genting Sempah when it was raining and visibility was limited to 2km contributed to the crash on July 13 that killed six crewmen, a RMAF board of inquiry found. 

The board found no technical problems, engineering problems or air turbulence reported prior to the crash, either, Deputy RMAF chief Lt-Jeneral Datuk Bashir Abu Bakar said at the Defence Ministry yesterday after the board completed its investigations in the cause of the crash. 

Asked why the pilot, known to be experienced, made the decision to fly the Sikorsky S-61 Sea King or Nuri helicopter despite poor weather conditions, Lt-Jen Bashir said the pilot decided to make the flight. 

“By right, in that kind of weather situation, he should have come back and waited for the weather to clear (before making another flight),” he said. 

Those who died in the crash were pilot Kapt Nor Azlan Termuzi, 29, co-pilot Kapt Nor Intan Asykeen Mohd Arof, 27, air quartermaster Sjn Khusnizaim Ariffin, 34, Senior Airman Muhammad Ridzuan Ahmad, 27, Sjn Azmie Md Yassin, 35, and Senior Airman Saifulizam Alias, 28. 

The helicopter, on a routine flight to Kuantan, took off from the Kuala Lumpur RMAF airbase at 9.24am and then lost contact. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said all parties should accept the report as the investigations were thorough and objective.  

“I am satisfied with the report.”  

However, Kapt Nor Azlan’s father Datuk Termuzi Abd Aziz was not satisfied. He said the findings were unreliable because the board members had failed to consider several important factors.  

He asked why the board had not interviewed other Nuri pilots, their family members, friends and the workers of the aircraft maintenance company on clues about the condition of the helicopter.