Helicopter accident in Pahang kills one, leaves pilot unhurt

BENTONG, Pahang: A helicopter crash near Bentong, Pahang today resulted in the death of one ground crew member, while the pilot survived the incident.

The accident occurred at approximately 10.26 am when the Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger helicopter, registered PK-ZUV, lost control during landing and caught fire.

The helicopter was conducting aerial work for MHS Aviation Berhad, under a contract for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) involving the installation of high-voltage cables.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed the accident, stating that the operator last communicated with the Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC) at 10.18 am, reporting the helicopter’s return to the landing site.

The crash site was near Berdekan Kolam Air Panas, Jalan Lama Kuala Lumpur, approximately 10 km from Bentong's Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) station.

The fire, which completely destroyed the helicopter, was brought under control by local fire crews by 11.06 am.

The victim, Indonesian national Pinsan Rizky, an engineer, was confirmed dead at the scene, with injuries possibly caused by the helicopter’s rotor blades. The pilot, Kustiyadi, was uninjured.

The accident is being investigated by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia, following Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.

The fire response involved five firefighters and one fire engine (LFRT-1), with operations still ongoing.

Authorities have handed over the victim's remains to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for further action.

The helicopter was operated by Zaveryna Utama and leased by MHS Aviation Bhd. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.