Five people died when a Flying Doctor Service helicopter crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport in northern Sarawak on September 8. The victims include a pilot, a medical officer, an assistant medical officer, and two nurses. Malaysia’s aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the disaster.
A routine medical supply and transport flight turned fatal in the interior of Marudi district when a BO-105 helicopter with the registration number 9M-LLF crashed near the end of the airstrip at Long Lellang. The aircraft went down at about 3.40pm on Tuesday, according to initial information from the Miri Airport Fire and Rescue Services. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia received notification of the incident from the Flight Information Service at 3.58pm.
The remote crash site sits next to Long Lellang village, a rural area located about 310km from Miri and roughly 930km from the Sarawak state capital of Kuching. The village and its short take-off and landing airport serve some of the region’s most isolated Kelabit and Penan communities by providing medical care and emergency transport.
Identities of the Pilot and Health Ministry Personnel Lost in Sarawak
Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that the five individuals aboard the aircraft consisted of one pilot and four ministry staff members on official duty. Among the healthcare personnel was a medical officer, an assistant medical officer, and two nurses.
The medical officer was identified by her family as Dr Ainul Baroah Kamaruddin from Kelantan. Her death was confirmed in a public post by her sister-in-law, Nureez Mohd Pauzi, who traveled to Sarawak following the incident.
The pilot was identified as Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim contacted the pilot’s father, Bee Sham Ahmad, to offer personal sympathies on behalf of his family. In a public statement, the Prime Minister recalled past personal experiences with the aviator.
“Reminiscing the memories of when the late Captain Zainol was responsible for flying me during the 15th General Election (GE15) campaign deeply moved and touched my heart. To be tested with such a heavy loss is deeply challenging, especially for his family and young children. I pray that God grants strength, fortitude, and patience to the family as they face the days ahead.”
Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia
Galong Luang, the Miri Division resident and chairman of the Miri Division Disaster Management Committee, confirmed that all five people on board had died based on reports compiled from the Fire and Rescue Department and the Ministry of Health.
Weather Complications Impede Remote Search and Recovery Operations
Search efforts on Tuesday faced severe operational hurdles as thick haze from wildfires complicated rescue attempts and barred teams from utilizing regional air services. Sarawak police commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah noted that the extreme isolation of the crash site required ground personnel to navigate a 10-hour journey by road.
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia chief executive officer Norazman Mahmud announced that a specialized team from the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was dispatched to Miri to lead the formal inquiry. Authorities have ordered that the physical layout of the wreckage remain untouched while investigators process the scene.
“The helicopter wreckage at the crash site will remain undisturbed following instructions from the AAIB … the site has been cordoned off and secured.”
Norazman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia
Government Pledges Welfare Support as Nation Mourns Aviation Tragedy
Prime Minister Anwar announced that the federal government will guarantee all necessary support and welfare assistance are extended directly to the grieving families of Captain Zainol and the four ministry personnel.
Anwar Ibrahim stated that Malaysia mourns the sacrifices and dedicated service of the victims, and urged everyone to give the families space and refrain from speculation while awaiting verified information from the authorities.
Search and recovery operations at the Long Lellang airstrip continue under the coordination of local disaster management committees and federal air safety inspectors.
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