PETALING JAYA: Smoke and flames were seen coming from a helicopter shortly before it crashed in Sarawak, killing the pilot and four passengers, according to a preliminary investigation report.
The Bolkow BO105 S chopper, operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, was conducting a scheduled Flying Doctor Service flight from Selungo to Long Lellang STOLport in Miri when the accident occurred on Sept 8.
“An initial examination of the video shows the helicopter in flight with a visible trail of smoke.
“Visible flames were also observed in the vicinity of the area aft of the main gearbox, as viewed in the recording,” the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said in its preliminary report released by the Transport Ministry yesterday.
The 37-second ground-based video showed the helicopter approaching Runway 04 at Long Lellang STOLport but did not capture the impact.
Investigators have yet to establish how the helicopter struck the ground, while the origin and sequence of the fire remain under investigation.
The helicopter’s last recorded position, transmitted by its Spider Track satellite tracking system, was about three nautical miles from the airstrip at 3.27pm.
No further position data was available after that.
The pilot, a 30-year-old Malaysian, had 1,825 hours and 30 minutes of flying experience, including 915 hours and 50 minutes on the BO105.
The report said the helicopter had valid registration and airworthiness certificates and was considered airworthy when dispatched.
Visibility near the airstrip was reported to be more than 10km, and no emergency call or distress transmission was recorded.
The report also highlighted shortcomings in the emergency response at the remote airstrip, where the fire continued for several hours despite the deployment of 12 dry powder fire extinguishers – five 50kg units and seven 9kg units.
“Photographic evidence of the initial emergency response showed that the personnel involved in the firefighting activities approached the burning wreckage and discharged portable fire extinguishers without wearing firefighting personal protective equipment,” the report said.
Some protective clothing available at the airstrip also showed signs of deterioration and damage. No dedicated rescue and firefighting personnel were stationed there.
The remote location and limited road access delayed the arrival of additional emergency personnel.
Police, Fire and Rescue Department and Health Ministry personnel reached the site on the second day, while the AAIB investigation team arrived on the third day.
Following the crash, the operator suspended aircraft operations involving the same engine type pending confirmation of airworthiness and any necessary rectification.
On Sept 13, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia said it had no technical objection to the return to service of BO105 helicopter 9M-LLS and Nomad N22 aircraft 9M-LLB, both fitted with the same engine type, after reviewing submissions from the operator.
The AAIB said the investigation was ongoing, with further analysis and conclusions to be presented in the final report.
The preliminary findings did not establish the cause of the crash.
