AAIB TEAM TO ARRIVE IN MIRI TODAY TO BEGIN LONG LELLANG HELI CRASH PROBE
KUCHING, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- A three-member investigation team from the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to arrive in Miri at about 5 pm today to begin investigations into yesterday’s crash involving a Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter in Long Lellang.
In a statement to Bernama, AAIB said the crash site was now under tight security and the helicopter wreckage must not be disturbed or moved without coordination with the agency.
“The team’s onward journey from Miri to the crash site in Long Lellang will be coordinated based on the prevailing conditions and availability of transportation.
“However, access to the crash site is not restricted to AAIB alone, as the relevant rescue agencies still need to carry out their duties there,” the bureau said in the statement today.
AAIB said the priority at present was the rescue and recovery operation by the relevant agencies, particularly the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and other authorities involved.
The search and rescue (SAR) team was understood to have proceeded to the crash site at 11 am today.
Yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said a BO-105 helicopter carrying five people, including the pilot, had crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport) in Ulu Baram, about 929 kilometres from Kuching.
According to CAAM, it received information about the incident from the Flight Information Service at 3.58 pm, and that the helicopter was conducting an FDS operation.
-- BERNAMA
