Army grounds its Agusta A109 LOH helicopters pending investigation

PADANG BESAR: The Army has temporarily grounded its Agusta A109 LOH helicopters until the investigation into an emergency landing incident is completed.

Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said the army would not risk the safety of its personnel before knowing the factors behind Friday’s incident in Johor.

“Aircraft operations (for Agusta A109 LOH) in the Peninsula and Sabah will be halted temporarily pending investigation... the aircraft are used for training and operations.

“The aircraft are estimated to be 19 years old and we ensure that every helicopter is in its best condition before conducting training or operations,” he told reporters after the parade celebrating the 66th anniversary of the Territorial Army’s 504th Regiment at Bukit Keteri Camp near here yesterday, Bernama reported.

The event was officiated by Perlis Regent Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.

On Friday, three crew members suffered injuries after their Malaysian Army Agusta A109 LOH helicopter made an emergency landing at 1.35am during a night flight training session at Mahkota Kluang Camp in Johor.

Muhammad Hafizuddeain said that prior to the crash, the helicopter had been checked to ensure it was safe and that regular physical and technical maintenance had been done.

On another matter, Muhammad Hafizuddeain said the Army would continue the search for Pvt Muhammad Syafiq Hilmi Abd Halim, who went missing during Ops Ukur with the Sarawak Land and Survey Department on June 18.

“This is the 11th day of the Army’s search and rescue operation, ... we have found several leads to his whereabouts in the general area but we have yet to find him.

“We will carry on with our search operation and I urge all Malaysians to pray that he will be found,” Muhammad Hafizuddeain said.