By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 9: A three-member team from the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to arrive in Miri at about 5pm today to begin investigations into the crash of a Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter near Long Lellang yesterday.
AAIB said the crash site is currently under strict security, stressing that the helicopter wreckage must not be disturbed or moved without prior coordination with the bureau.
“The team’s onward movement from Miri to the crash site in Long Lellang will be arranged based on prevailing conditions and the availability of transportation.
“Access to the crash site is not restricted to AAIB, as relevant rescue and enforcement agencies still need to carry out their duties at the location,” the bureau said in a statement to Bernama today.
The bureau said the immediate priority remains the search, rescue and recovery operations being conducted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and other agencies involved.
The search and rescue (SAR) team was understood to have headed to the crash site at about 11am today.
Yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) reported that 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 929km from Kuching.
CAAM said it received notification of the incident from the Flight Information Service at 3.58pm, adding that the helicopter was conducting a Flying Doctor Service mission at the time of the crash. — Bernama
