AAIB flags firefighting gaps at Sarawak airstrip after crash killed five

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — The Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has called on the operator of the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Port (STOLport) in Miri, Sarawak, to assess its emergency response and firefighting provisions following a fatal helicopter crash on September 8. The AAIB suggested Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd (MASB) review rescue and firefighting setups across all STOLports to guarantee auxiliary staff were adequately trained and equipped, along with the proper maintenance and serviceability of firefighting gear and personal protective equipment (PPE).

The investigation pointed out that Malaysia Volunteers Corps Department (Rela) personnel, who were meant to assist in rescue and firefighting, entered the burning scene without proper PPE. "Some of the existing PPE showed signs of wear and damage, which could hinder the safety and efficiency of emergency response," the AAIB stated in its initial report.

The report detailed that 12 dry powder fire extinguishers at the STOLport terminal were deployed by responders and locals to combat the fire, but the blaze persisted for several hours. All five individuals on board – a 30-year-old Malaysian pilot and four Health Ministry employees – perished due to severe burns, as per post-mortem findings included in the report.

The aircraft, a Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO105 S helicopter registered as 9M-LLF and operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, was en route for a routine Flying Doctor Service mission. The plane, capable of carrying up to 2,500kg depending on its configuration, was on its way to Runway 04 when it crashed, approximately 25 meters from the runway threshold, and was engulfed in flames.

Despite normal communication frequencies, no emergency call or distress signal was recorded from the aircraft before the crash. Weather conditions near the STOLport were deemed favorable, with visibility exceeding 10km. In the short term, Layang-Layang Aerospace halted operations of aircraft with the same engine type for further airworthiness checks.

Following technical evaluations, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia allowed the affected aircraft to resume service on September 13. A thorough examination of the wreckage will determine the extent and cause of the damage, along with the fire's progression and ground contact. These findings will be incorporated into the final report.

The Transport Ministry noted that the preliminary report's content might be adjusted as new evidence surfaces, with a full investigation and conclusions scheduled for release in the final report. The ministry emphasized the investigation's purpose was to prevent future accidents, not to assign blame or liability. "The ministry values the AAIB's work and the cooperation of all parties involved in assisting the investigation, and remains dedicated to enhancing the nation's aviation safety," the ministry declared.