Senator calls for BO-105 helicopters to be grounded

A senator has urged for a temporary suspension of all BO-105 helicopters, following a fatal crash during a Flying Doctor Service operation in Sarawak. The incident occurred when a helicopter transporting five individuals, including four ministry personnel and a pilot, crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport. The senator emphasized that the government bears responsibility for ensuring that the contractor company employs aircraft that meet the highest safety and flight standards.

The BO-105 in question, registered as 9M-LLF, had a long operational history, having been built in 1991 in Germany and flying under various registrations in Germany, the US, and South Africa before entering service in Malaysia. The aircraft, currently 35 years old, ceased production in 2001. The senator argued that precautionary measures should be taken immediately, without waiting for another tragedy to occur, as human life cannot be equated to contract costs or operational profits.