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PETALING JAYA: The Transport Ministry says it is still investigating the cause of an airborne collision between two helicopters in Taman Melawati, Ampang, last month.
In its preliminary report of its investigations into the November 8 collision, which killed two people in one of the helicopters, the ministry’s Air Accident Investigation Office (AAIB) said two main questions will dictate the future direction of the investigation. .
“Exactly how and, more importantly, why did the helicopters crash?” it said in the report.
“A more critical analysis of the ADS-B data is underway. More light is expected to be shed on why the helicopters converged in the first place. “
ADS-B is a surveillance technology in which an aircraft determines its position through satellite navigation or other sensors and transmits it periodically, allowing it to be tracked.
AAIB noted that both helicopters had maintained a separation of between 50m and 120m prior to the collision.
However, at 11:44 am, “for reasons still unknown”, the helicopters began to converge and collided a few seconds later.
AAIB said a point of contention was raised over the phrase “flying in company”, which was written in the flight plan. It could be argued that this term does not imply flying in a “tight” formation but rather a “loose” one, he added.
AAIB said the rules specify that the maximum distance between planes should not exceed 1 km. But no minimum distance was stipulated.
“More importantly, are those who have been practicing this adequately trained to perform such a maneuver?” asked AAIB.
The collision caused one helicopter to crash and the other to make an emergency landing.
The pilot of the crashed helicopter, retired navy commander Mohamed Sabri Baharom, 56, and his passenger, businessman Mohd Irfan Fikri Mohamed Rawi, 41, lost their lives in the incident.
Former MAS Executive Director Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, 66, and his passenger, Tan Chai Eian, 51, were slightly injured.
All four were members of My Heli Club, a private social network for helicopter enthusiasts. Jauhari is its president and Sabri was its main instructor.
AAIB said that based on the preliminary report, the Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority should take a “critical look” at the practice of “flying in company” among local aviation enthusiasts and would review current rules and procedures.
AAIB said this measure will ensure the safety and security of all private aviation enthusiasts, without affecting business growth and enjoyment of general aviation.
