ARMY AGUSTA A109 LOH HELICOPTERS GROUNDED PENDING INVESTIGATION - MALAYSIAN ARMY

PADANG BESAR, June 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Army has temporarily grounded its Agusta A109 LOH helicopters till the investigation into yesterday’s helicopter crash in completed.

Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said the army will not risk the safety of any of its personnel before knowing the factors behind the crash.

"Aircraft operations (for Agusta A109 LOH) in the Peninsula and Sabah will be halted temporarily pending investigation… the aircraft are used for training and operations.

"For your information, the aircraft are an estimated 19 years old, we really ensure every helicopter is in its best condition before conducting training or operations,” he told reporters after the parade celebrating the 66th anniversary of the Territorial Army’s 504th Regiment at Bukit Keteri Camp near here today, officiated by Perlis Regent, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Prior to the crash, the helicopter was checked to ensure it was safe and that continued physical and technical maintenance had been done, Muhammad Hafizuddeain said.

The Malaysian Army Agusta A109 LOH helicopter with three crew members on board made an emergency landing at 1.35 am yesterday during a night flight training session in Mahkota Kluang Camp in Johor, with all crew suffering injuries.

Muhammad Hafizuddeain also shared that the army would continue the search for Pvt Muhammad Syafiq Hilmi Abd Halim, who went missing during Op Ukur with the Sarawak Land and Survey Department on June 18.

"This is the 11th day of the army’s search and rescue operation, ...we have found several leads to his whereabouts in the general area but we have yet to find him.

"We will carry on with our search operation and I urge all Malaysians to pray that he will be found,” he said.

-- BERNAMA