KUALA LUMPUR: An audit finding on workforce calculations at Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, related to the helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak, is awaiting final verification by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the finding was pending final verification on the date of the crash and concerned organisational matters, not the helicopter's technical condition or systems.
"All audit findings had been closed (concluded) except one related to the standardisation of workforce calculations, which was still awaiting the final verification process by CAAM on the date of the accident.
"The finding was organisational in nature and not directly related to the technical condition of aircraft 9M-LLF or the aircraft systems involved in the accident," he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said helicopter that crashed in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, on Sept 8 had a valid Certificate of Registration and Certificate of Airworthiness, and was certified fit to fly before departure.
He said the final report on the incident would be completed within a year.
He said the preliminary investigation report into the crash, which killed a pilot and four medical personnel, would be presented to the cabinet tomorrow.
"Preliminary findings by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (BSKU) confirmed that the pilot held a valid flying licence, medical certificate and was fully qualified to operate the flight," he said in response to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Richard Rapu (GPS-Betong), who asked about the dates of the latest safety audit, surveillance audit and inspection conducted by CAAM.
Loke said CAAM had conducted a surveillance audit on Layang-Layang Aerospace from Sept 1 to 4 to evaluate its application to renew its Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) status.
Follow-up activities and audit closure were completed on Sept 6, two days before the crash.
The annual audit was conducted to enable CAAM to consider the company's application to renew its AMO status.
The audit covered maintenance compliance, workforce management, maintenance control, equipment and component management, as well as the Safety Management System (SMS).
It recorded three findings and three observations relating to workforce calculation methods, unclear task handover records for scheduled inspections, and insufficient documentation of emergency response procedures in the company's SMS manual and Emergency Response Plan (ERP).
The crash killed the pilot and four medical personnel on board the Flying Doctor Service flight.
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