Long Lellang:Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the preliminary investigation report into the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, Sarawak, will be tabled before the Cabinet tomorrow.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Air Accident Investigation Bureau's preliminary findings revealed that the pilot of the BO105 helicopter, operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, had a valid pilot license and medical certificate. The helicopter, registered as 9M-LLF, was operating under a Ministry of Health contract and had valid registration and airworthiness certificates at the time of departure.

The investigation is ongoing, with a final report on the accident expected within a year. During Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Anthony Loke explained that the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) had conducted a surveillance audit of the helicopter operator's maintenance organization shortly before the crash. This audit identified three instances of non-compliance and three observations related to workforce planning, maintenance records, and emergency procedure documentation.

The findings from the audit, except for one regarding workforce planning, were resolved before the crash. Loke emphasized that the unresolved issue was administrative and did not affect the helicopter's technical systems. Further inspections by CAAM on other BO105 helicopters and aircraft with Rolls-Royce RR250 engines confirmed their airworthiness after necessary corrective actions.

In response to a proposal for more helicopter landing sites in remote areas, Loke noted that CAAM-approved facilities consider aviation safety. He also mentioned that the crash occurred at an airstrip with a light aircraft runway. While acknowledging a proposal for a national helicopter aviation network, he indicated its implementation would be challenging but would be considered.