House of Representatives: The preliminary report on the Long Lellang helicopter crash will be delivered to the Cabinet tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15: The preliminary investigation report of the Air Medical Service (PDU) helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak will be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said a report prepared by the Bureau of Air Accident Investigation (BSKU) found that the helicopter pilot in question had a flight license, flying qualifications and a valid medical certificate.

"The helicopter also has a valid registration certificate and flight qualification certificate as well as certified flying-worthy at take-off", he said while answering questions in the Dewan Rakyat.

He responded to a question by Datuk Dr Richard Rapu asking the government to specify the date of the safety audit, surveillance audit, and final CAAM inspection of the 80-105 9M-LLF post-aircraft helicopter operator at Long Lellang.

However, he said the investigation is still ongoing and a final report should be prepared within one year from the date of the accident.

In related developments, Loke said an audit of the helicopter's owner Aerospace Lightning recorded three audit findings and three observations.

He said the audit findings included aspects of labour calculation and planning methods, vague records of implementation of scheduled maintenance inspections as well as documentation of procedures for continuity of operations after an inadequate emergency.

"All audit findings have been closed except for one finding related to the maintenance workforce calculation which is still awaiting final verification process by the ministry when disaster strikes", he said.

According to him, the findings are organisational in nature and do not directly relate to the technical condition of helicopters or aircraft systems involved in the accident.

He said that the ministry also conducted verification checks on other helicopters of type BO105 from 9 to 10 September, in addition to another aircraft using the same engine, namely Rolls-Royce AR250, from 10 to 12 September.

"The test results found compliance with scheduled maintenance requirements and the Airworthiness Directive to be satisfactory", he said.

For the record, a helicopter crash at Long Lellang on September 8 last year claimed five lives, including a pilot and four health ministry officials.