KUALA LUMPUR: Reports that a Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter had to make an emergency landing in Bintulu were inaccurate.
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud said the pilot made the landing as a precautionary measure.
This was confirmed by the aircraft operator, Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, which also said the helicopter was not operating under the FDS nor as a medical evacuation (medevac) flight at the time.
Norazman said the pilot landed the helicopter near the Sri Pertiwi housing estate in Kidurong, Bintulu, at 3.18pm.
“I can confirm that the pilot made a precautionary landing and that the pilot did not declare an emergency. The pilot and two passengers are safe,” he said.
Earlier, it was reported that a helicopter was seen making what was believed to be an emergency landing near the housing estate.
The incident went viral after a 51-second video showing the helicopter landing in an open area circulated on social media.
LLASB, in a statement, said the helicopter was undertaking a repositioning flight, adding that the two “passengers” on board were actually technicians.
A repositioning flight is the term used when an aircraft is flown from one location to another, usually without commercial passengers aboard.
LLASB accountable manager Captain Shahdon Poong said the pilot of helicopter, registered as 9M-LLE, had notified Bintulu Air Traffic Control of the situation at the time of the landing.
“Following the landing, the pilot requested the company’s mobile engineering response team to inspect the aircraft and conduct the necessary technical assessments.
“LLASB places the highest priority on aviation safety and remains committed to ensuring that all operational and technical procedures are conducted in accordance with applicable aviation safety standards,” it said.
The company said it would issue a further statement tomorrow following a review of the engineering team’s findings.