Chopper did not make emergency landing, says operator

The operator of a helicopter involved in an incident in Bintulu, Sarawak, today has clarified that the aircraft was neither making an emergency landing nor engaged in a Flying Doctor Service (FDS) or medical evacuation mission, as claimed.

Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd accountable manager Shahdon Poong said the helicopter was not carrying out services on behalf of the health ministry or the Sarawak health department at the time of the flight.

He also said the landing was undertaken as a precautionary measure and not as an emergency landing.

“The pilot duly notified Bintulu air traffic control of the situation at the time of the landing.

“Following the landing, the pilot requested the company’s mobile engineering response team to attend to the aircraft and carry out the necessary precautionary technical inspections and assessments,” Poong said in a statement.

He also confirmed that the pilot and two technicians on board remained safe throughout the landing, and no injuries were reported.

Earlier, Bintulu police chief Nixon Joshua Ali said an FDS chopper made an emergency landing after experiencing a minor technical problem while flying from Sibu to Miri.

He said the helicopter was heading to Miri to take part in an exhibition programme when the incident occurred at about 3.20pm. No health ministry personnel were on board, only the pilot and two crew members.

A video showing a yellow helicopter in an open space beside a residential area near Sri Pertiwi in Kidurong, Bintulu, went viral on social media.

Poong also said the company will issue a further statement tomorrow following its review of the engineering team’s findings.