Preliminary Report On Long Lellang Helicopter Crash To Be Tabled In Cabinet Tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 – The preliminary investigation report into the crash of a Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter that killed five people in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, Sarawak, on September 8 is expected to be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow, October 16, 2026.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat that initial findings by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed the pilot held a valid flying licence and medical certificate.

He added that the BO105 helicopter (registration 9M-LLF), operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd under contract with the Ministry of Health (MOH), possessed valid registration and airworthiness certificates and was declared airworthy at departure.

The Transport Minister was responding to an inquiry from Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri (GPS-Betong) regarding safety, surveillance, and inspection audits conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) following the fatal accident.

CAAM Audit Findings, Verification Inspections, and Investigation Timeline

The Transport Ministry provided further context regarding CAAM oversight activities and ongoing investigative steps:

• Surveillance Audit Findings: Prior to the incident, CAAM conducted an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) surveillance audit on Layang-Layang Aerospace from September 1 to 4, recording three findings and three observations. All audit findings were resolved except for one administrative item concerning maintenance manpower calculation, which was not directly linked to the technical airworthiness of the crashed aircraft.
• Special Fleet Verification: Following the crash, CAAM carried out special verification checks on Layang-Layang Aerospace’s remaining BO105 fleet on September 9–10, alongside inspections of other aircraft utilizing Rolls-Royce RR250 engines from September 10–12.
• Satisfactory Maintenance Compliance: The safety inspections confirmed satisfactory compliance with airworthiness directives and scheduled maintenance protocols, allowing affected aircraft to resume operational flights after required verifications.
• One-Year Final Report Target: A detailed technical investigation remains underway to establish the precise cause of the crash, with a final report to be published within 12 months of the incident.

The crash occurred at the Long Lellang Short Takeoff and Landing Port (STOLport), claiming the lives of the pilot and four Ministry of Health medical personnel performing rural healthcare duties.

–NMT