KOTA KINABALU, Sept 11 — The Air Accident Investigation Bureau has begun its investigation into the cause of the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang which claimed five lives, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.

Hasbi said the ministry’s air accident investigation team was already at the crash site and was working to determine the cause of the tragedy.

“We will wait for the report from the Air Accident Investigation Team. We cannot say anything at this stage,” he said when met by reporters after launching the National Madani Taxi Renewal Programme here on Friday.

Asked if bad weather could have caused the crash, Hasbi said it was too early to draw any conclusions.

“We will wait for the report. I cannot predict it because everything will depend on the investigation, including the weather,” he said, adding that the report was expected to be completed soon.

The BO-105 helicopter, registered 9M-LLF and operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing airport in Ulu Baram while conducting an FDS mission on Sept 8.

All five crew members, including the pilot, on board, were killed in the crash. They were identified as pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry, 31; and staff nurses Debra Moset, 40, and Jessie Paya Jok, 44. — The Borneo Post