KUALA LUMPUR: Initial investigations confirmed that a mid-air collision overhead Taman Melawati did indeed occur involving two Guimbal Cabri G2 light helicopters bearing registrations 9M-HCA and 9M-HCB on Nov 8.
This was based on the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)'s preliminary report into the mid-air collision which had killed two people. The preliminary report has been made available on the Transport Ministry's website.
The 62-page preliminary report stated: "Raw ADS-B Data shows that both helicopters left Batu Dam for Klang Gates. During transit, their paths maintained a separation of between 50 and 120 metres at all times.
"However, at 11.44am for reasons still unknown, the helicopters start to converge and collided a few seconds later. The pilot of 9M-HCA on being alerted by his passenger to the proximity of the other helicopter (9M-HCB) took evasive action by slamming his cyclic to the right but it was too late.
"Wreckage reconstruction later indicated that the main rotor blades of 9M-HCB impacted the skids of 9M-HCA."
It stated 9M-HCA managed to safely land on SJKT Taman Melawati's school field, but 9M-HCB immediately entered into an auto-rotation.
However, due to the damage severity to its main rotors, 9M-HCB was unable to maintain a controlled rate of descent required for a safe landing, it added.
ADS-B is a surveillance technology in which an aircraft determines its position via satellite navigation or other sensors and periodically broadcasts it, enabling it to be tracked.
Further analyses into the ADS-B Data (heading, height, rates of climb/descent, speed) were still ongoing, the preliminary report stated.
"Investigators are trying to ascertain exactly how the helicopters collided hoping that it will shed light into why the helicopters converged in the first place."
The two helicopters had taken off from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang and was headed to Genting Sempah.
It was reported My Heli Club's captain and chief flying instructor Commander (Rtd) Mohamed Sabri Baharom, 56 and Mohamad Irfan Fikri Mohd Rawi, 44, who were in 9M-HCB were killed.
The occupants of the other helicopter, 9M-HCA, were My Heli Club's president Datuk Ahmad Jauhari Yahaya, 66, and its ordinary member Tan Chai Eian, 51. Both survived without any injury.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, in a statement, said the preliminary report was done in accordance with Annex 13 (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Wee said one must take note that it was only a preliminary report and that investigations into the accident were still on-going.
Based on the preliminary report, he said the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) had taken immediate actions towards ensuring the safety of the public and all aviation industry players at all times.
"CAAM is currently looking into making additional training a requirement for private clubs and operators.
"This is aimed at increasing awareness and competency among aviation enthusiasts.
"Additionally, CAAM will launch a review of the existing rules and procedures to identify any inadequacies present and improve on them to ensure such occurrences do not happen again," Wee said.
He said this measure put the safety and security of all private aviation
enthusiasts as a top priority, without impinging on the business growth and enjoyment of general aviation.
"We wish to remind the public once again that the main objective of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and cause of the accident with an aim to safeguard lives and prevent future accidents.
"The investigation being carried out is not for the purpose of apportioning blame nor liability," he stressed.
