Weather, unfamiliar terrain main causes of crash

KUALA LUMPUR: An aviation expert agreed with the findings of an official report on a helicopter crash in Sarawak, which claimed six lives last year.

The official report stated the main causes were bad weather, followed by the pilot’s lack of knowledge of the terrain, which might have impeded his ability to make effective decisions.

Universiti Kuala Lumpur test pilot Prof Dr Mohd Harridon Mohamed Suffian said flying a helicopter required in-depth knowledge of the terrain.

“Usually, helicopters fly at a lower altitude, which makes them prone to obstacles, such as hills and mountains, and air vortex surrounding peaks and valleys of the terrain.

“I would recommend that pilots to go through a comprehensive meteorological course so that they would be proficient in gauging air movements or patterns on terrains engulfed with peaks and valleys, and dynamic atmospheric pressure change.”

It was reported that Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had recommended that foreign helicopter pilots in Malaysia undergo 10 hours of flying under supervision.

Harridon said the recommended flying hours was sufficient, but adding more hours could boost the level of proficiency.

“For instance, 20 hours would be a good yardstick, 10 hours for tutoring the ‘best approach’ to fly on local terrain and another 10 hours to gauge the proficiency of foreign pilots.

“Foreign pilots flying on local terrain should undergo tutelage under those who are experienced with local terrain.

“Air vacuum occurs randomly at certain locations along hilly terrain, its pattern of occurrence is discernible.

“Experienced pilots have the ability to gauge the time when these air vacuums will occur, and its location. Become familiar with its occurrence to avoid them during flight.”

On May 5 last year, an AS350 helicopter carrying five passengers and a pilot crashed near Batang Lupar in Sarawak while heading from Betong to Kuching.

The official report cited that thunderstorm, rain, and lack of local terrain and weather knowledge could have hindered the pilot’s ability to make effective decisions, even though the pilot was navigating using GPS.