KUALA LUMPUR – An Agustawestland AW139 helicopter belonging to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) crashed off Pulau Angsa, Kuala Selangor today while conducting rescue training.
In a statement confirming the incident, MMEA director-general Datuk Hamid Mohd Amin said the aircraft flown by Tengku Mohd Nizam Tengku Zakaria and Mohamad Azrol Saidi was forced to conduct an emergency landing.
Also onboard were crew members John Ibno and lifeguard Muhamad Nurhayyat Hashim.
Sebuah helikopter milik Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (Maritim Malaysia) dilaporkan terhempas di Pulau Angsa, Kuala Selangor, Selangor.
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“Search and rescue (SAR) operations were deployed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and the Putrajaya Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at 10.15am,” he added.
SAR attempts were ended at 11.15am after all onboard the plane were saved by local fishermen in the area, and subsequently flown to the Subang maritime air station (SUMS).
The operation was initiated after authorities received an emergency call from fishermen about the accident, following which the agency dispatched three boats from the Selangor maritime agency and Klang Port maritime police.
An aircraft from SUMS as well as 10 members of the special action and rescue team were also deployed.
“A fishing boat that was at the location provided initial assistance to the crew,” Hamid said.
He also expressed thanks to the maritime community for a speedy response to the incident.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia confirmed the helicopter with the registration number M72-01 departed from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang at 9.10am for a training flight.
“Last contact made by the aircraft with air traffic control was at 9.20am, however, there was no distress call received.
“Kuala Lumpur Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (KLARCC) at Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC) was immediately activated to determine the location of the helicopter.
“All survivors were rescued by a rescue helicopter and landed in Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport at 10.58 am. The investigation will be conducted by MMEA,” said CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Norazman Mahmud in a statement today.
Earlier, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed the incident when contacted by Scoop.
In an initial report on the incident, he said the Kuala Selangor district control centre was informed of the crash by a member of the public in a call at around 10am.
According to a video shared on social media platform X, the helicopter was seen nose-diving into the sea, causing a large splash. – March 5, 2024