Tiada kecacatan penyelenggaraan dikesan CAAM, kata operator helikopter

The operator of the airborne medical service helicopter that crashed in Sarawak last month, Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, has affirmed that a Malaysia Civil Aviation Authority (CAAM) inspection did not uncover any inconsistencies or issues in the company's operational management. Johan Poong Abdullah, the Group Director of Aerospace Operations, stated that a preliminary report from the Air Crash Investigation Department (ACID) released yesterday confirmed that all documentation related to the helicopter's operations was properly maintained.

He emphasized that the crew operating the aircraft possessed the necessary licenses, qualifications, and clearances to conduct the flight in accordance with existing regulations. Johan also highlighted that the pilot had a valid medical certificate and was physically fit to operate the flight, and the helicopter was cleared for flight at the time of the incident.

The ministry of transportation, Loke Siew Fook, informed the House of Representatives on Monday that CAAM raised three operational concerns during its investigation of Layang Layang's operations between September 1 and 4, followed by a follow-up inspection on September 6, just two days before the crash. Loke explained that the three issues concerned the company's personnel management, some unclear maintenance records, and insufficient procedures for continued operations after an emergency.

He stated that two of the issues had been resolved, while the third, involving the calculation of the company's labor requirements, was pending final approval from CAAM at the time of the crash. Johan clarified that these issues were unrelated to the company's maintenance work and that the operating license for the company had been renewed for an additional three years following the subsequent inspection, even before the crash occurred.