30-5-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) The failure of a helicopter to adhere to its designated height and flight path has been pinpointed as the primary cause of a tragic collision with another naval helicopter in Lumut, resulting in the deaths of ten Navy personnel.
The accident occurred on April 23 during a rehearsal in western Malaysia, leading to the fatal crash. Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob, the Royal Malaysian Navy chief, announced the findings of the investigation at a press conference held at KD Sri Gombak on May 30.
“The Investigation Board has concluded that there was no human error involved in the crash, as the Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec helicopter was not equipped with a black box to provide data suggesting pilot error,” Admiral Abdul Rahman explained. “What we can confirm is that the Fennec was not at the prescribed height and flight path.”
A secondary factor contributing to the collision was the “channelised attention” of the Agusta-Westland AW-139 (AW139) crew, who were focused on adjusting their flight path, thereby limiting their reaction time to avoid the crash.
The comprehensive report from the Investigation Board aligns with the preliminary findings previously released. This final report will be submitted to the State Airworthiness Authority (SAA) for official records.
Admiral Abdul Rahman emphasized that there was no evidence of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), fatigue, or the use of banned substances among the aircrew. All personnel were deemed fit to fly, and their deaths were caused by multiple injuries sustained in the crash.
The AW139 helicopter’s black box analysis revealed no mechanical issues. Although the Fennec lacked a black box, visual and sound analyses indicated no mechanical problems. Maintenance records showed that both aircraft were serviced according to the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) procedures and schedules. Lubricant and fuel samples were tested by the Defence Science and Technology Institute (Stride) and found to be normal.
The weather on the day of the incident was also determined to be favourable for flight.
“For the AW139, the black box provided crucial data for the investigation, while for the Fennec, we used air simulation with an actual helicopter,” Admiral Abdul Rahman said. “We also sought cooperation from Airbus Helicopter, which confirmed that the Fennec did not have equipment with non-volatile memory to assist in the investigation.”
Addressing the current status of the fleet, Admiral Abdul Rahman noted that the Navy is working to increase the readiness of their aircraft. “We had three AW-139 helicopters, but now only two remain operational. For the Fennec helicopters, four out of six are currently in service, with one damaged. We are actively seeking allocations for new helicopters, either through direct purchasing or leasing.”
Admiral Abdul Rahman also highlighted the ongoing support for the families affected by the tragedy. “Service and benefit payments in the form of monthly pensions to eligible next of kin have commenced. Contributions from sympathetic parties through the ‘Tabung Tragedi Lumut 24’ fund are still being collected and will be distributed to the families by October or November.”
He added that the Navy had met with families based in Kuala Lumpur on May 30 and planned to do the same for those in Lumut the following day to brief them on the report’s findings.
The Lumut helicopter collision serves as a somber reminder of the importance of strict adherence to flight protocols and the need for ongoing vigilance in maintaining aircraft safety standards.
