RMAF sets up board of inquiry over helicopter emergency landing incident

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has set up a board of inquiry to evaluate and analyse the emergency landing incident involving its Nuri helicopter at SMK Balung near here today.

Its chief, Gen Tan Sri Roslan Saad said the board would take the necessary action to ensure that Nuri helicopters, which were now being used in its operations, are serviceable.

He said members of the board would also recover the helicopter's fuselage and components to determine the cause of the incident.

"Investigations at the scene will take three days," he told reporters at the scene.

READ: Investigate helicopter emergency landing, RMAF told

Roslan also expressed gratitude the 13 RMAF personnel and nine civilians involved only sustained minor injuries.

He said at present only two RMAF personnel, namely the pilot and a technician were still receiving treatment at the Tawau Hospital.

Asked on the chronology of the incident, Roslan said the helicopter, manned by two pilots and a technician, left the Tawau Airport for Semporna at 7.35 am with 10 RMAF personnel.

They were on air search and rescue exercise drill, he said.

At 9.05 am, Roslan said the helicopter made an emergency landing at the school as it could not reach the Tawau Airport.

SMK Balung is located about nine kilometres from the airport, and has 1,678 students and 116 teachers. -Bernama