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Malaysian Reserve
7 days ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Bentong chopper crash preliminary report flags hot refuelling safety breaches
KUALA LUMPUR — The preliminary report on the Feb 6 Bentong helicopter crash, which killed a ground crew member, found that both the Indonesian ground crew and the pilot of the Bell 206L4 violated Safety Working Procedures (SWP) during hot refuelling a day before the incident. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said video footage showed the helicopter, registration PK-ZUV, undergoing hot refuelling without adherence to the prescribed SWP. 'Based on video footage of PK-ZUV conducting hot refuelling a day before the accident, it was observed that the crew from the Lessor did not adhere to the prescribed SWP. Such non-compliance poses a potential risk and could lead to unsafe conditions. 'Figure 5, Paragraph 1.4.1 (c), (e), and (f) (of the report) clearly define the SWP for conducting hot refuelling. However, as observed in Figure 6, the helicopter operator or the Lessor failed to adhere to these procedures,' read the report, published on the Transport Ministry's website. Hot refuelling is the process of refuelling a helicopter with its engine running and rotor blades turning, often used by the Bell 206L4 light helicopter to meet operational and time-critical needs. Under the SWP, this can only be done using a fuel drum and manual pump by trained personnel, who must wait at a safe distance until the helicopter lands. Once on the ground, the pilot must maintain the correct engine revolutions per minute and lock the landing gear, allowing the crew to approach only after a clear signal, such as a thumbs-up. The SWP further requires the crew to approach from the front or side where the pilot is visible, never from the rear due to tail rotor hazards, and to keep low without raising their hands while carrying refuelling tools. However, video footage from the day before the crash captured unsafe actions by both the pilot and ground engineer, creating potential hazards. 'The helicopter was hovering with its rotor blades still running while moving closer to the ground engineer, who was positioned directly beneath the main rotor disc. The crew was already positioned beneath the helicopter while it was still hovering and approaching for landing, indicating a clear violation of this procedure. 'Such non-compliance poses a potential risk and could lead to unsafe conditions,' the report stated. An Indonesian ground crew member was killed after being struck by the rotor blades, while the pilot suffered minor injuries when the helicopter crashed during a refuelling attempt near a hot spring pool at Kg Janda along the old Kuala Lumpur–Bentong road. The Bell 206L4, engaged in aerial work for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) since Jan 21, reportedly lost control while hovering. Its skid partially struck the landing surface, causing the aircraft to topple and burst into flames. The post-impact fire destroyed the helicopter, leaving only the tail boom intact. The report also found that the lessor, PT Zaveryna Utama, had failed to meet safety regulations, while the lessee, MHS Aviation Berhad, was responsible for oversight and ensuring compliance with operational requirements. 'The absence of a Safety Officer from the lessee to supervise the hot refuelling process contributed to crew complacency, further increasing operational risks,' the report added. The report confirmed that the helicopter's maintenance complied with all regulations and approved procedures, and that favourable weather conditions played no role in the incident. — BERNAMA
The Star
7 days ago
- The Star
Bentong chopper crash preliminary report flags hot refuelling safety breaches
KUALA LUMPUR: The preliminary report on the Feb 6 Bentong helicopter crash, which killed a ground crew member, found that both the Indonesian ground crew and the pilot of the Bell 206L4 violated Safety Working Procedures (SWP) during hot refuelling a day before the incident. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said video footage showed the helicopter, registration PK-ZUV, undergoing hot refuelling without adherence to the prescribed SWP. "Based on video footage of PK-ZUV conducting hot refuelling a day before the accident, it was observed that the crew from the Lessor did not adhere to the prescribed SWP. Such non-compliance poses a potential risk and could lead to unsafe conditions. "Figure 5, Paragraph 1.4.1 (c), (e), and (f) (of the report) clearly define the SWP for conducting hot refuelling. However, as observed in Figure 6, the helicopter operator or the Lessor failed to adhere to these procedures," read the report, published on the Transport Ministry's website. Hot refuelling is the process of refuelling a helicopter with its engine running and rotor blades turning, often used by the Bell 206L4 light helicopter to meet operational and time-critical needs. Under the SWP, this can only be done using a fuel drum and manual pump by trained personnel, who must wait at a safe distance until the helicopter lands. Once on the ground, the pilot must maintain the correct engine revolutions per minute and lock the landing gear, allowing the crew to approach only after a clear signal, such as a thumbs-up. The SWP further requires the crew to approach from the front or side where the pilot is visible, never from the rear due to tail rotor hazards, and to keep low without raising their hands while carrying refuelling tools. However, video footage from the day before the crash captured unsafe actions by both the pilot and ground engineer, creating potential hazards. "The helicopter was hovering with its rotor blades still running while moving closer to the ground engineer, who was positioned directly beneath the main rotor disc. The crew was already positioned beneath the helicopter while it was still hovering and approaching for landing, indicating a clear violation of this procedure. "Such non-compliance poses a potential risk and could lead to unsafe conditions," the report stated. An Indonesian ground crew member was killed after being struck by the rotor blades, while the pilot suffered minor injuries when the helicopter crashed during a refuelling attempt near a hot spring pool at Kg Janda along the old Kuala Lumpur-Bentong road. The Bell 206L4, engaged in aerial work for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) since Jan 21, reportedly lost control while hovering. Its skid partially struck the landing surface, causing the aircraft to topple and burst into flames. The post-impact fire destroyed the helicopter, leaving only the tail boom intact. The report also found that the lessor, PT Zaveryna Utama, had failed to meet safety regulations, while the lessee, MHS Aviation Berhad, was responsible for oversight and ensuring compliance with operational requirements. "The absence of a Safety Officer from the lessee to supervise the hot refuelling process contributed to crew complacency, further increasing operational risks," the report added. The report confirmed that the helicopter's maintenance complied with all regulations and approved procedures, and that favourable weather conditions played no role in the incident. – Bernama
The Sun
7 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Bentong helicopter crash report reveals hot refuelling safety violations
KUALA LUMPUR: The preliminary investigation into the 6 February Bentong helicopter crash, which resulted in the death of a ground crew member, has identified multiple safety breaches during hot refuelling operations. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found both the Indonesian ground crew and the pilot of the Bell 206L4 helicopter violated established Safety Working Procedures (SWP). Video evidence showed the helicopter, registered as PK-ZUV, undergoing hot refuelling without following mandatory safety protocols. 'Based on video footage of PK-ZUV conducting hot refuelling a day before the accident, it was observed that the crew from the Lessor did not adhere to the prescribed SWP,' stated the AAIB report. The report highlighted specific procedural failures, including the crew's improper positioning during refuelling. 'Figure 5, Paragraph 1.4.1 (c), (e), and (f) clearly define the SWP for conducting hot refuelling. However, as observed in Figure 6, the helicopter operator or the Lessor failed to adhere to these procedures,' the report noted. Hot refuelling, a process where fuel is added while the helicopter's engine and rotor blades remain operational, is commonly used for time-sensitive missions. However, strict safety measures must be followed, including using a fuel drum and manual pump, maintaining safe distances, and ensuring proper signalling between the pilot and ground crew. The footage revealed critical lapses, including the helicopter hovering too close to the ground engineer, who was positioned directly beneath the rotor blades. 'The crew was already positioned beneath the helicopter while it was still hovering and approaching for landing, indicating a clear violation of this procedure,' the report stated. The crash occurred during a refuelling attempt near a hot spring pool in Kg Janda along the old Kuala Lumpur-Bentong road. The ground crew member was fatally struck by the rotor blades, while the pilot sustained minor injuries. The helicopter, leased for aerial work by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), lost control during hovering, partially struck the landing surface, and subsequently caught fire. The AAIB also found that the lessor, PT Zaveryna Utama, failed to meet safety standards, while the lessee, MHS Aviation Berhad, neglected oversight responsibilities. 'The absence of a Safety Officer from the lessee to supervise the hot refuelling process contributed to crew complacency,' the report added. Investigators confirmed the helicopter was properly maintained and weather conditions were not a factor in the crash. The final report is expected to provide further recommendations to prevent similar incidents. – Bernama
New Straits Times
12-08-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Report finds pilot, engineer violated hot refuelling rules in Bentong copter crash
KUALA LUMPUR: A preliminary report into a helicopter crash in Bentong, Pahang, which killed a member of the ground crew, has found that both the engineer and pilot failed to follow hot refuelling safety procedures. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report into the Feb 6 crash, however, noted that the probable cause would be included in its final report. In its preliminary report published on March 6, the bureau said the unsafe actions of both the pilot and the ground engineer during the hot refuelling introduced potential hazards. Hot refuelling is the process of refuelling with the engine running and rotor rotating due to operational demands and time constraints. The report said that a Standard Work Practice (SWP) had bee issued by a contractor engaged by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) to its lessee to ensure the safety of the refueller, the helicopter, and the surrounding environment while performing their tasks during hot refuelling. It added that part of the agreement requires the lessee to oversee and monitor flight operations to ensure compliance with its commercial requirements, and that it is their responsibility to ensure the companies engaged under their contract adhere to these obligations. However, based on video footage of the helicopter conducting hot refuelling a day before the accident, the crew did not adhere to the SWP. "Based on video footage of PK-ZUV (the helicopter) conducting hot refuelling a day before the accident, it was observed that the crew from the lessor did not adhere to the prescribed SWP for hot refuelling. Such non-compliance poses a potential risk and could lead to unsafe conditions. "The unsafe actions of both the pilot and the ground engineer introduced potential hazards. The helicopter was hovering with its rotor blades still running while moving closer to the ground engineer, who was positioned directly beneath the main rotor disc," it said. It added that under the SWP, crew members must wait at a safe distance from the landing point and should only approach the helicopter after receiving a clear instruction (thumbs-up) from the pilot. "However, the crew were already positioned beneath the helicopter while it was still hovering and approaching for landing, indicating a clear violation of this procedure. "When the lessor fails to comply with safety regulations, it is the lessee's responsibility to oversee and monitor operations to ensure adherence to established requirements. "In this case, the absence of a safety officer from the lessee at the helicopter landing site to supervise the hot refuelling process contributed to crew complacency, further increasing operational risks," it said. The report added that the pilot, who was duly qualified and authorised to conduct the flight, had a prior accident in 2019 involving the same type of helicopter. That crash occurred in Indonesia following a suspected engine failure. The AAIB said it was still waiting to obtain the final report from Indonesian authorities. As a precautionary measure, the AAIB recommended that the pilot's company facilitate a consultation with an aviation medical professional for a comprehensive mental and physical health evaluation. On Feb 6, a Bell 206L4 helicopter operated by PT. Zaveryna crashed while attempting to land in Bentong, Pahang. The incident occurred at 10.20am near a hot spring pool at Kg. Janda along the old Kuala Lumpur-Bentong road. The helicopter, with registration number PK-ZUV, had been engaged in aerial work for TNB since Jan 21. A member of the ground crew was killed after being struck by the helicopter's rotor blades. The pilot survived with minor injuries.
Sinar Daily
17-07-2025
- Sinar Daily
Recovered police helicopter wreckage to undergo investigation at Subang base
A detailed investigation will be carried out by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau. 17 Jul 2025 05:27pm The operation to retrieve the AS355N helicopter with registration number 9M-PHG began early this morning and the wreckage was lifted from the seabed at 11am. Photo by Bernama ISKANDAR PUTERI - The wreckage of the police helicopter that crashed in Sungai Pulai, Gelang Patah, last week has been recovered and will be transported to the Air Operations Force (PGU) base in Subang for further investigation. Commander of the PGU under the Internal Security and Public Order Department Datuk Noor Sham Md Jani said a detailed investigation will be carried out by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau. "Cooperation from multiple agencies expedited the process of retrieving the wreckage and will allow for a more thorough investigation,' he said when contacted by Bernama. The operation to retrieve the AS355N helicopter with registration number 9M-PHG began early this morning and the wreckage was lifted from the seabed at 11am. Photo by Bernama The operation to retrieve the AS355N helicopter with registration number 9M-PHG began early this morning and the wreckage was lifted from the seabed at 11am. The wreckage was lifted using a crane vessel and several police assets. Among the agencies involved were the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Region Two Marine Police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Bernama's observations at the site from 7.30am found that preparations for the operation were carried out meticulously before the wreckage was gradually hoisted and later brought to a nearby jetty. The helicopter crashed last Thursday while participating in the Multilateral Nuclear Security Detection Exercise (MITSATOM) 2025 involving Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, held at the Gelang Patah Maritime Jetty. All five on board were injured in the incident, and they have been reported to be in stable condition. - BERNAMA More Like This
