KOTA KINABALU, May 28 ― A female training pilot is believed to be hurt after a helicopter crash landed at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport this morning.
The helicopter, belonging to charter airline Layang Layang Aerospace was on a training flight before it lost control during landing and crashed onto the runway of the airport.
A spokesman who declined to be named told Malay Mail Online that the female pilot was on a solo training flight.
“The victim has been rushed to the hospital and is in stable condition,” he said.
Layang Layang Helicopter academy Chief Instructor Captain Sudhir Kumaren said that the 9M-LMM Bell 206B helicopter crashed within the training circuit at 11.58am when flight cadet Fatin Nadeera Mohamad Jeffrey, 21, was manning the aircraft.
“Fatin, who only sustained bruises from the crash has been undergoing her training for awhile now and it was not her first solo flight,” he said at a press conference later.
It is believed that she was hovering above ground and was about to land when she lost control and the helicopter crashed onto the tarmac and landed on its side.
Sudhir said that the helicopter was damaged beyond repair and would need to be replaced.
“LLHA at this stage will not be able to release the root cause of the accident as it is still under investigation from the respective authorities (DCA, Police, etc) We will keep everyone informed from time to time,” said Kumaren.
City district police chief assistant commissioner M.Chandra said that investigations was still ongoing but there was no foul play suspected.
