Sebuyau helicopter crash: Preliminary report released

This was because the wreckage of the Eurocopter AS350 helicopter has yet to be found, with the possibility of the main frame being submerged in the Batang Lupar river.

Among the findings stated in the report, put together by the Transport Ministry’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), was that the Eurocopter AS350 helicopter was airworthy for the May 5 flight.

It also stated that the pilot, Filipino captain Rudolf Rex Ragas, was experienced and properly licenced for the operation, besides being well-rested with more than 24 hours at base.

On the search and rescue (SAR), the report said after the recovery of all the victims’ bodies and several helicopter parts, the SAR committee decided to change the mission to Search and Recovery.

The search and recovery mission, which involved various government agencies including the Malaysian navy, air force and police, was intensified from May 19 using intensive sonar scanning in the river to search for the chopper’s main wreckage.

“After six full days of scanning the Batang Lupar riverbed, the main wreckage still continues to elude detection. Sector A, was thoroughly scanned save for some areas which were deemed too shallow even at high tide. These areas were less than two meters deep and it is assumed that any wreckage would protrude above the surface and thus would be visible.

“Royal Malaysian Navy personnel even took it upon themselves not only to re-scan suspect areas but even to scan highly probable areas adjacent to Sector A. Nonetheless, their efforts went unrewarded. As far as the surface search was concerned, no additional pieces of debris were found,” the report said.

The report also highlighted challenges encountered during the SAR mission.

They include zero-visibility in the vast Batang Lupar river where the waters are perpetually muddy; strong and unpredictable currents; crocodiles; no backup equipment and poor radio and cellular communications.

The investigation by AAIB was conducted in accordance with Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention and Civil Aviation Regulations of Malaysia 2016.

The report stated that the sole objective of the investigation was to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident for prevention purposes and “not to apportion blame or liability.”