PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has stated that there were no breaches in handling or maintenance standard operating procedures (SOP) concerning the helicopter that crashed at the UniKL MIAT hangar near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport last Saturday. According to JBPM Fire and Rescue Operations director Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman, the Agusta AW189 helicopter was undergoing maintenance, which included engine and aircraft system tests, at the time of the accident. The engineer had dismantled the aircraft fan motor and reassembled it before conducting the hovering test. However, the helicopter was not balanced when it exited the hangar, and the incident occurred before the completion of the hovering test. Normally, this test is performed at a height of seven meters, and various other levels as well, but due to the unbalanced tires, the helicopter’s rotor broke upon impact with the hangar floor. The crash occurred at around 11:40 am. Fortunately, all three JBPM members and four maintenance crew onboard were wearing seat belts and sustained no serious injuries. The JBPM personnel were Hasrizal Kamaruzzaman (aircraft commander), Che Muhammad Azlan Che Mohammad (pilot), and Fua’ad Jamaluddin (air-quartermaster). The maintenance crew members from Galaxy Aerospace Sdn. Bhd. were Muhammad Mohd Taib (chief engineer), Ahmad Zhafri Mohd Nor (avionics engineer), Mohammad Zhafir Mohammad (intern), and Ryan Xavier Julius (intern). None of them were seriously injured in the incident. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
