S'wak heli crash: Final report due within a year, says Loke

GEORGE TOWN: The final report on the Long Lellang helicopter crash is expected to be published within a year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

It was reported yesterday that more than a month after a Bo-105 helicopter crashed in Long Lellang on Sept 8, killing five people, investigators had yet to determine the cause of the crash.

The preliminary report released by the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) stated that the safety investigation was ongoing, with the available factual data still at a preliminary stage.

"This is just a preliminary report. The final report will be published later, within a year," he told reporters after the launch of Penang's first electric bus.

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Loke said the final report would be released within the stipulated timeframe.

The preliminary report found that, at this stage, there were no faults with the helicopter's airframe, its maintenance or the pilot.

However, it noted that the helicopter's engines had been sent to the manufacturer's facility for further examination. The investigation into the powerplant was ongoing, and any airworthiness implications for other engines of the same type had yet to be established.

On Sept 8, a Flying Doctor Service Bo-105 helicopter carrying five people crashed near Long Lellang STOLport in Sarawak, killing all on board.