PETALING JAYA: Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, the operator of the Flying Doctor Service helicopter that crashed in Sarawak last month, has emphasised that inspection by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) found no unclear records or flaws in its aircraft maintenance.
Layang Layang group managing director Johan Poong Abdullah said the preliminary report on the helicopter crash, which killed all five people on board, found that the maintenance and management of all aircraft in Layang Layang’s stable were in order.
"The Air Accident Investigation Bureau’s report released yesterday clearly stated that all related paperwork on the helicopter’s maintenance was in order. More information will be included in the final report," he told FMT.
Quoting the report, Johan stressed that the pilot held the appropriate licence, qualifications and approvals required to conduct the flight in accordance with the applicable regulations.
"The pilot held a valid medical certificate and was medically fit to conduct the flight. The helicopter was determined to be airworthy at the time of dispatch and held valid certificates of registration and airworthiness," he said.
Yesterday, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said in the Dewan Rakyat that CAAM flagged three maintenance issues during an inspection of Layang Layang’s maintenance operations from Sept 1 to 4, and follow-up checks completed on Sept 6, two days before the crash.
Loke said the three issues concerned the company’s maintenance staffing plans, unclear records of certain scheduled maintenance checks, and inadequate written procedures for continuing operations after an emergency.
He said two of the issues had been resolved, while the third, involving the company’s calculation of staffing needs, was still pending final verification by CAAM when the crash occurred.
Johan said the inspection was a routine check for all aircraft operators before the renewal of their licences, adding that the three issues raised were unrelated to maintenance by its aircraft engineers.
He said the company’s operating licences were renewed for another three years following the inspection, before the crash.
"The parts about the maintenance staff planning and unclear records of scheduled checks have been clarified and CAAM has accepted our clarification and adjustments.
"As for the issue of how the company calculated its staffing needs, we have explained that Layang Layang has enough manpower to operate its companies both in the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak," he said.
Johan said Layang Layang took pride not only in providing safe and efficient aviation services but also in emphasising best practices to build public confidence in the company.