Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Two Navy helicopters crash during fly-over training at Lumut base, all crew members confirmed dead




Two Navy helicopters crash during fly-over training at Lumut base, all crew members confirmed dead




Rescue personnel working at the site of the crash. ― Picture via Facebook/Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia

Tuesday, 23 Apr 2024 11:27 AM MYT



KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 — Two military helicopters collided today during the Royal Malaysian Navy's (TLDM) rehearsal for its 90th anniversary celebration scheduled for May.

TLDM confirmed the incident in a brief statement, saying it happened at 9.32am during a fly-over exercise near TLDM's Lumut naval base.

"All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent to TLDM Military Hospital for identification process," it said.

"TLDM will form an investigation body to determine the cause of the incident.




Two military helicopters collided today during the Royal Malaysian Navy's (TLDM) rehearsal for its upcoming 90th anniversary celebration. ― Picture via Facebook/KPKT Malaysia


TLDM also confirmed that the collision involved an AgustaWestland AW139 maritime operation helicopter and its Eurocopter Fennec light-size counterpart.

A preliminary report previously said the two aircraft left Padang Sitiawan at approximately 9.03am before colliding, with the AW139 crashing onto the steps of the stadium of the Lumut base while the Fennec fell into the swimming pool of the base's sports complex.

TLDM also urged the public to refrain from sharing videos of the incident to protect the sensitivity of the families of the deceased, and to preserve the integrity of the investigation process.

This morning, videos shared online showed several helicopters flying low in a formation over the stadium, followed by one of the helicopters seen clipping the rear rotor of another helicopter, causing both to go into a tailspin and crash.




Rescue personnel are seen at the site of the crash. ― Picture via Facebook/Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia


Today's incident came after another incident involving the national security forces' helicopter, after a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) crashed into waters near Selangor's Pulau Angsa while conducting rescue drills last month.

The incident on March 5 took place around 9.55 am, and was reported to the authorities through a MERS 999 call by a fisherman who was in the vicinity where the helicopter made its emergency landing.

In February, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) also confirmed a light aircraft crash near Kapar, Selangor that killed two people including the pilot.

CAAM chief executive Captain Datuk Norazman Mahmud said the aircraft model BK 160 Gabriel with the registration number I-POOC and operated by Air Adventure Flying Club had departed from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang at 1:28pm for a recreational flight.




PM Anwar: Nation saddened, Malaysian Armed Forces deeply affected by Navy helicopters crash




Rescue personnel are seen at the site of the crash. ― Picture via Facebook/Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia

Tuesday, 23 Apr 2024 2:04 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 ― The nation mourns the heart-wrenching tragedy involving the crash of two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopters in Lumut, Perak this morning, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In a Facebook post, he said the tragedy had deeply affected the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) family and was a great loss for the country.


He also extended condolences to the families of those who perished and prayed for them to be given strength in facing the tragedy.

“I have been informed that an immediate investigation will be conducted by the Ministry of Defence, especially RMN, to determine the cause of the accident.


“Praying that the souls of all those who perished are showered with mercy and forgiven of all their sins. May God love them and grant them a special place and position by His side,” said Anwar.


RMN said all 10 personnel on board were killed after a Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM-AW139) and a Fennec helicopter collided and crashed at 9.32am at the Lumut base.

It is learnt that the helicopters were making a fly-past when rehearsing for a parade to be held in conjunction with RMN’s 90th anniversary early next month. ― Bernama




Fahmi: Refrain from circulating clips of Navy helicopters' crash




Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has urged the public to refrain from circulating video clips of the two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopters’ crash in Lumut, Perak this morning. ― Bernama pic

Tuesday, 23 Apr 2024 2:09 PM MYT



KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 ― Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil advises media practitioners and the public against circulating video clips of the two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopters’ crash in Lumut, Perak this morning.

“Videos depicting the moments of the incident should not be circulated. Let us show respect to the victims’ families and next of kin. Refrain from spreading it. I also urge media colleagues not to use those clips or footage,” he told reporters at Wisma Bernama today.

He made these comments after participating in the Let's Read Together for 10 Minutes@Bernama programme: Reading Preserves Unity, organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden to commemorate World Book and Copyright Day celebrated every April 23.


Fahmi also conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims who perished in the incident and deferred to the authorities to conduct a detailed investigation.


TLDM confirmed the deaths of 10 of its personnel in the 9.32am incident, which involved seven crew members of the Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM-AW139) and three RMN Fennec crew members.

It is understood that the crash occurred during a fly-past rehearsal for the 90th RMN anniversary celebration scheduled for early next month. ― Bernama

2 comments:

  1. Rest Peace.
    Fahmi is wrong bout the sharing of videos of the incident. People have a right to know what happened.

    ReplyDelete