Helicopter operator says CAAM flagged no aircraft maintenance flaws

Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, the operator of the helicopter that crashed in Sarawak last month, has stated that the preliminary report on the incident found no maintenance or management flaws with any of their aircraft. Johan Poong Abdullah, Layang Layang's managing director, emphasized that the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) inspection discovered no unclear records or maintenance issues.

The final report will provide additional details, but the preliminary report confirmed that all related paperwork on the helicopter's maintenance was in order. The pilot held the necessary licence, qualifications, and approvals to conduct the flight in accordance with regulations. The pilot was medically fit, with a valid medical certificate.

The Transport Minister, Loke Siew Fook, reported that CAAM raised three maintenance concerns during an inspection from September 1 to 4, and follow-up checks on September 6, two days before the crash. The issues included staffing plans, unclear records of scheduled maintenance checks, and inadequate procedures for continuing operations after an emergency. Two issues were resolved, while the third regarding staffing calculations remained pending final verification by CAAM when the crash occurred.

The company clarified that these three issues were unrelated to the work done by its aircraft engineers. Layang Layang's operating licences were renewed for another three years following the inspection. The company aims to maintain safety and efficiency, as well as build public confidence through best practices.