SIK: The family of the late Royal Malaysian Navy warrant officer II Muhammad Faisol Tamadun, who died in the Lumut helicopter crash on April 23, have accepted the preliminary investigation report released today.
Noryani Tamadun, 50, said she welcomed the preliminary report by the RMN and remained patiently awaiting the final report expected on May 28.
She said, as Faisol's eldest sister, she was constantly praying for a smooth and facilitated investigation process into the cause of the accident.
"My siblings and I have accepted that our youngest brother is no longer with us, we can accept the reality... yesterday morning after selling nasi lemak, I went to his grave.
"According to plan, tomorrow we will erect a gravestone on his grave," she said when contacted.
In the incident, two RMN helicopters crashed following a mid-air collision in Lumut, killing all 10 aboard the aircraft.
The helicopters, an Agusta Westland AW139 Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM) and a Eurocopter Fennec, collided during a mid-air manoeuvre while training for a flypast for the RMN's 90th anniversary celebrations.
Earlier today, the preliminary report from the board investigating the crash was released, revealing that all crew involved in the incident were fit to operate the aircraft.
It also found that the aircrew's flight qualifications were still valid and that both helicopters were in airworthy condition at the time of the incident.
Meanwhile, Noryani said Faisol's wife and children were doing well, but her brother's youngest child often fell ill due to missing his late father.
"They are still in Sungai Petani at their home and are expected to return to Lumut this Saturday. The eldest child, 10, has come to terms with his father's passing, but the youngest, 6, is currently sick.
"He often calls for his father, repeating that he wants his father... he probably misses his father too much because previously he would come home to see them for long periods of time," she said.
