Preliminary report on Sarawak Flying Doctor helicopter crash due within 30 days, says state deputy minister

MIRI, September 19 — The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (BSKU) will release a preliminary report on the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash that occurred on September 8 within 30 days of the incident, as mandated by Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines on Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah informed reporters at a function in Long Lama on Saturday that the preliminary report would be presented to the Cabinet, as per the Cabinet's decision on September 9. "BSKU will issue a preliminary report within 30 days from the date of the accident, in accordance with ICAO Annex 13," Hasbi stated.

The Bureau is presently conducting a technical investigation in line with ICAO Annex 13 and Part XXVI of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016. Hasbi elaborated that the BSKU team had visited the crash site to assess the scene and gather evidence, including reviewing operational and maintenance records, crew details, weather conditions, and other pertinent data.

The investigation is also receiving technical assistance from the aircraft manufacturer in Germany and the engine manufacturer in the United States, as per ICAO Annex 13. At present, the cause and contributing factors of the accident remain undetermined. "At this stage, the cause and contributing factors of the accident have yet to be determined.

The investigation is ongoing and BSKU will not draw any conclusions until all the evidence has been thoroughly examined," Hasbi emphasized. On September 8, a FDS helicopter crashed at the Long Lellang STOLport around 3.40pm, resulting in the death of all five crew members on board. The deceased were Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; Alexson Adit Henry, 31; and nurses Debra Moset, 40, and Jessie Paya Jok, 44.