The helicopter crashed in Malaysia before exploding into a fireball (Image: Facebook)
A helicopter has crashed in Malaysia before exploding into a horrifying fireball. There are thought to be no survivors. Five people are believed to have been travelling on board the aircraft when it came down near the end of the airstrip at Long Lellang STOLport, a small airport in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, at around 3pm on Tuesday.
Images circulating following the crash show flames consuming the wreckage and a large column of dark smoke rising into the air near the runway.The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed the aircraft involved was a German-made BO-105 helicopter, registered 9M-LLF. The helicopter had been operating a Flying Doctor Service flight when it crashed while travelling towards Long Lellang. The service is used to provide healthcare to people living in remote communities across Sarawak, where some settlements can be difficult to reach by road. According to local publication The Borneo Post, CAAM was notified about the incident by the Flight Information Service at 3.58pm local time.
The wreckage of the helicopter following the crash near Long Lellang in Sarawak, Malaysia (Image: Facebook)
The aviation authority confirmed there were five people on board the helicopter, including the pilot.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak Tribune reported that preliminary information indicated those on board were a pilot, a doctor, a medical assistant and two nurses.
The publication named them as Captain Zainol, Dr Ainul, medical assistant Alexson Adit and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya, although their identities have not yet been officially confirmed by authorities.
The Sarawak Tribune reported that the helicopter crashed while landing at Long Lelang Airport, coming down at the end of Runway 04 at around 3.32pm.
Airport personnel reportedly alerted the operations team at Miri Airport at around 3.36pm, before an Emergency Operations Centre was activated four minutes later.
Aviation Security and the Airport Fire and Rescue Service were also alerted to the emergency.
Authorities pictured at the scene (Image: Facebook)
Villagers in Long Lelang and members of Malaysia’s People’s Volunteer Corps were reported to have helped at the scene, while Ministry of Health personnel also arrived to provide assistance.
Personnel at the scene later reported five casualties at around 4.50pm, according to the Sarawak Tribune, although the condition of those on board had not been officially confirmed at the time of its report.
The Borneo Post reported that Deputy Minister Datuk Gerawat Gala said the helicopter was operated by private company Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd.
Mr Gala said: “I have been informed about the helicopter crash in Long Lellang. I have also informed the managing pilot of Layang-Layang, and I am sure they will alert the necessary search and rescue authorities.”
He added: “I don’t have any information about the passengers. Whether there were passengers on board would have to be verified by Layang-Layang.”
Malaysia’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which operates under the country’s Ministry of Transport, will investigate the incident. The cause is currently unknown.