KUALA LUMPUR – What began as a routine send-off from Squadron 503 to their fellow servicemen as they boarded helicopters from Kota Kinabalu to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base in Lumut, Perak, recently turned into a poignant goodbye.
The aircraft, an AgustaWestland AW139 maritime operations helicopter (HOM M503-3) and a Eurocopter Fennec (M502-6), collided mid-air during a flypast training session this morning, killing all onboard.
A heartfelt photo of the crew waving goodbye, shared on the team’s Facebook page on April 19, now carries a weight of sorrow.
“A meaningful wave from some of the remaining crew; will they be able to come home early after this? Who knows, we can still hope for the best,” the caption read.
The same caption also detailed the mission of the two aircraft crews and appealed for prayers for their safe journey.
“Fellow warriors have returned home early into the embrace of the Divine, condolences to our national heroes, thank you for your service in protecting our waters,” expressed Mila Qirin in the comments section.
“Who could have predicted their departure, all of Malaysia knows and prays, not everyone can,” wrote Bakry A. Fadaq.
“Allahu, so this is the final wave, may peace be upon our national heroes,” said Dieyna Trigonahoney.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of 10 RMN crew members during a marching parade rehearsal for the RMN’s 90th anniversary in Lumut.
The helicopters took off from Padang Sitiawan at 9.30 am, with the HOM crashing on the steps of the RMN Stadium and the Fennec crashing into the swimming pool at the RMN Lumut Sports Complex.
Among the seven RMN crew members aboard the HOM helicopter were Muhammad Firdaus Ramli, Wan Rezaudeen Kamal Wan Zainal Abidin, Mohammad Amirulfaris Mohamad Marzukhi, and Muhammad Faisol Tamadun.
The identities of the other three aboard the same helicopter remain unknown at this time.
The three crew members aboard the Fennec were identified as Commander Muhamad Amir Mohamad, Lieutenant Sivasutan Thanjappan, and Mohd Shahrizan Mohd Termizi.
All 10 navy crew members who perished were below the age of 40 and held various ranks, according to Defence Minister Khaled Nordin earlier today.
Khaled announced plans to visit the crash site today along with armed forces chief Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman to meet with the victims’ families and gather information.
Transportation arrangements for the victims’ parents from Sabah to Lumut will be facilitated by the RMN, with the Defence Ministry overseeing subsequent support measures for the families. – April 23, 2024