Latest news with #Bell206L4
Malaysian Reserve
2 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
2 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
2 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
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Hot refuelling safety rules ignored, says early report on Bentong chopper crash
The Air Accident Investigation Bureau said there was a direct violation of the safe working procedures in the crash of a helicopter on Feb 6 that killed a ground engineer during hot refuelling. (JBPM pic) PETALING JAYA : The operator of the Bell 2064L4 helicopter that crashed in Bentong, Pahang, on Feb 6 and killed a ground engineer did not adhere to the safety rules for hot refuelling, according to the preliminary report by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The AAIB, which emphasised that the cause of the accident will only be released in the final report, said the unsafe actions of both the pilot and the engineer introduced potential hazards. Hot refuelling involves the filling up of an aircraft's fuel tank with the engines running. 'The helicopter was hovering with its rotor blades still running while moving closer to the ground engineer, who was positioned directly beneath the blades. 'This is a direct violation (of the safe working procedures) which mandate that crew members must wait at a safe distance from the landing point,' AAIB said in the report published on its website. In the incident, the 44-year-old engineer was struck by the blade and was confirmed dead at the scene. The pilot escaped unharmed. The report also said the refuelling crew should only approach the helicopter after receiving a clear instruction (thumbs-up) from the pilot. However, it said, the engineer was already positioned beneath the helicopter while it was still hovering and approaching for landing. The helicopter, operated by Indonesian firm PT Zaveryna Utama, had been engaged in aerial work for Tenaga Nasional Bhd's transmission tower construction project. The report said that on the day of the accident, the helicopter was returning to the landing site for refuelling when it lost control while hovering above the ground. It said the aircraft's skid partially made contact with the landing surface, causing it to topple and catch fire with the rotor blades hitting the engineer. 'In this case, the absence of a safety officer from the lessee (Malaysia Helicopter Services) at the site to supervise the hot refuelling process contributed to crew complacency, further increasing operational risks,' it said. The report also said that when the aircraft owner fails to comply with safety regulations, it is the lessee's responsibility to oversee and monitor operations to ensure adherence to established requirements. AAIB said the report contains statements of facts which have been determined up to the time of issue. It said it must be regarded as tentative and is subject to alteration or correction if additional evidence becomes available.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Unsafe refuelling, missing safety officer: Investigators find multiple failures in Bentong helicopter crash
PETALING JAYA, Aug 12 — The operator of a Bell 206L4 helicopter that crashed in Bentong, Pahang, on February 6 failed to follow safety procedures for hot refuelling, the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has found in its preliminary report. In the report published on its website, AAIB said that video from the day before the crash showed the aircraft hovering with its rotor blades running while moving closer to a ground engineer standing beneath the main rotor disc. This, it said, was in breach of rules requiring crew to wait at a safe distance until a thumbs-up signal from the pilot. To note, hot refuelling is the process of filling an aircraft's fuel tanks while its engine is running. The AAIB deemed that unsafe actions by both the pilot and the engineer, combined with the absence of a site safety officer from the lessee, contributed to complacency and heightened risk. The report also recommended a full mental and physical health assessment for the pilot and updates to operational manuals to explicitly define safe distances during landing approaches. The Indonesian-registered PK-ZUV, operated by PT Zaveryna Utama under a wet lease to MHS Aviation Berhad, had been supporting a Tenaga Nasional Berhad transmission tower construction project. On the day of the accident, the helicopter was returning to a helicopter landing site for refuelling when it descended to release a cargo sling and attempted to reposition towards fuel drums. It made abnormal ground contact, lost control, overturned, and caught fire, with its rotor blades striking the 27-year-old engineer, who died at the scene. The 44-year-old pilot suffered minor injuries. The AAIB stressed that the probable cause will be determined in the final report.
