Chopper did not make emergency landing, says operator

Yesterday, a video showing a helicopter in an open area close to a suburban region near Sri Pertiwi in Kidurong, Bintulu, surfaced on social media. The operator of the involved helicopter, Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, clarified that the aircraft was not making an emergency landing nor conducting a Flying Doctor Service (FDS) or medical evacuation mission, as initially reported.

The helicopter was operating independently from the health ministry or the Sarawak health department during the flight. The landing was executed as a precautionary measure rather than an emergency one. The pilot promptly informed Bintulu air traffic control about the situation when the aircraft landed. Subsequently, the pilot and two technicians on board were examined by the company's mobile engineering response team for necessary precautionary technical inspections and assessments.

Both the pilot and technicians sustained no injuries and remained unharmed throughout the landing. Initially, Bintulu police chief Nixon Joshua Ali had reported that an FDS chopper had performed an emergency landing due to a minor technical issue while en route from Sibu to Miri. The helicopter was scheduled to participate in an exhibition program when the incident occurred around 3:20 PM.

The helicopter, which was not carrying any health ministry personnel, consisted of only the pilot and two crew members. Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd will issue a further statement later today following its review of the engineering team's findings.