TAWAU HELICOPTER CRASH
TAWAU: Findings of the investigation of the Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter crash here Thursday night is expected to be ready soon.
Sabah Air Operations Force (PGU) commander ACP Ahmad Lokman Abdul Hadi said the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (BSKU) started the investigation at 4.30pm yesterday.
“The findings will be made public and upon completion of the investigation the wreckage will be brought back to Kota Kinabalu subject to the approval of the BSKU,” he said when met by reporters here yesterday.
In the incident at 7.40pm, the helicopter was flying from Tawau Airport to the 14th Battalion General Operations Force camp in Jalan Air Panas here when it encountered problems about one minute before landing.
All six PGU personnel on board survived the crash.
They are Sergeant Wedrich Sindih, 34; Sergeant Radzie Radaie, 40; ASP Shaike Faiqzal Johari, 34; DSP Norhashim Ahmad, 44; Corporal Andyrian Shah Mohd Saufi, 33 and technician Harry Joinin, 36.
All of them are currently receiving treatment at the Tawau Hospital.
Ahmad Lokman said Wedrich who suffered severe fractures to his neck and hips and Radzie who broke three of his right ribs would be transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu to undergo an MRI test.
He said during the incident, all of the victims were on the Op Taring routine patrol on the east coast of the state after participating in a 15th Battalion of the General Operations Force programme in Lahad Datu last Wednesday.
The Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter went into service in April last year. – Bernama
