Senator urges govt to replace ageing helicopters, temporarily ground BO-105s after Sarawak crash

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran has urged the government to replace the ageing helicopters used by the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) and temporarily ground the BO-105 helicopters following a fatal crash in Sarawak. Lingeshwaran, in a Facebook post, emphasized that human lives are not comparable to contract costs or operating profits, and urged for precautionary measures to be taken immediately.

The FDS, operated under a government contract, has been using a helicopter registered as 9M-LLF, which is about 35 years old and has previously been registered in Germany, the US, and South Africa. The aircraft, now nearing the end of its production lifespan in 2001, was involved in the crash near the Long Lellang STOLport in Baram while carrying out an FDS mission.

Lingeshwaran called for the government to take full responsibility and act firmly against the operator if the crash was found to be due to the aircraft's age, maintenance history, or condition. Condolences were expressed to the families and colleagues of the four Health Ministry personnel and pilot killed in the tragedy.