KUCHING, Sept 30 — Police have found no indication of foul play in their investigation into the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash at Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, which claimed five lives, with the probe now nearing completion.
Bukit Aman Management director and Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said police had taken statements from several witnesses, including those connected to locations visited by the crew members and the helicopter before the incident.
“So far, we have not found anything that indicates what actually caused the incident.
“As for other elements, including foul play and so on, we have not seen any indication of that,” he told reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Police Commissioner’s Monthly Assembly at the Sarawak Police Contingent Headquarters here on Wednesday.
Mohamad Zainal said a technical problem was among the possible causes being considered, but the actual cause would be determined by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
He added that the bureau had the expertise to determine the actual cause of the crash and was expected to announce its findings within 30 days at the earliest.
“So I cannot comment on the other matters. As far as the police investigation is concerned, we have nearly completed our investigation,” he said.
The FDS helicopter crashed at the Long Lellang STOLport at around 3.40pm on September 8 with five crew members, including the pilot, on board.
The victims were identified as pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry, 31; as well as staff nurses Debra Moset, 40, and Jessie Paya Jok, 44. — The Borneo Post
