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KUALA LUMPUR – The Transport Ministry’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau will conduct further investigations into the helicopter crash in Cameron Highlands today.
Caretaker transport minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said the bureau’s investigation officers will also be asked to improve and maintain safety compliance inspections among private operators in the local aviation industry.
“They have to be more alert, especially considering the (current) bad weather factor. I am monitoring the situation with updates provided by the CAAM (Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority) from time to time,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Wee said the pilot of the Airbus AS355 F2 helicopter and the five passengers on board were found safe and have been taken to hospital.
In the 1.15pm incident, the helicopter, which was transporting a medical team, crashed while attempting an emergency landing in a forested area near Brinchang.
The aircraft, operated by Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, had taken off from Kg Gawin in Gua Musang, Kelantan for Tg Rambutan, Perak at 12.20pm.
Meanwhile, Layang-Layang Group, in a statement, said the aircraft was transporting medical personnel to Tg Rambutan after serving the rural area of Kg Gawin when the aircraft lost contact with the company’s flight operations centre.
Group general manager Shahdon Poong said the families of the victims have been notified and assistance will be given where needed.
“Following guidelines from the aviation safety management system, Layang Layang Group is taking the necessary immediate actions to mitigate further incidents and accidents,” he said.
He added that the safety team will work closely with the Air Accident Investigation Bureau to determine the root cause of the accident. – Bernama, October 26, 2022