A preliminary report released by the Royal Malaysian Navy established to investigate the cause of the helicopter crash in Lumut on Apr 23 has found that the two helicopters which collided and crashed at a naval base in Lumut last month were fit to fly.
In the incident which claimed the lives of 10 people, the Navy also said the crew involved were also fit to fly. “Both aircraft were confirmed to be in airworthy condition (safe to fly) at the time of the incident.”
On Thursday (May 9) the statement by the Navy said that all air crewmen were in fine health to handle the aircraft and fit to do so based on their qualifications on the day of the incident.
“The Investigation Board consists of nine TLDM officers with expertise on air engineering and flight. It also received assistance from the Royal Malaysian Airforce’s Directorate General Technical Airworthiness (DGTA) and military medical officers,” the Navy said.
“The AW139 HOM helicopter had a black box while the Fennec was not equipped with one. Data analysis from the Multi Purpose Flight Data Recorder was received on May 3 and is being further analysed by the Investigation Board,” the Navy said.
It added that maintenance works on both helicopters were carried out according to schedule as well as the procedures established by the relevant original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
“Weather conditions on the day of the incident were good and suitable for the flight,” it said.
The final report is expected to be finished by May 29.
On April 23, two Navy helicopters – an AgustaWestland AW-139 and a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec – collided while on a training routine for the 90th Naval Day celebration.
The AW139, carrying seven crew members, crashed on the stairs at the TLDM stadium while the Fennec helicopter with three crew members crashed into the swimming pool in the sports complex.
