Tanah Rata heli crash: emergency operations centre activated

PUTRAJAYA - The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center (ARCC) has been immediately activated following the disappearance of a helicopter said to have crashed near Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands.

Based at the Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Center (KLATCC) in Sepang, CAAM Chief Executive Officer Datuk Captain Chester Voo said that the first search and rescue unit -- via land -- was mobilised to the location 19 minutes after the crash was reported.

"The efforts to rescue the victims are underway," said Voo in a statement issued today over the incident involving the Airbus AS 355 F2 type helicopter with the registration 9M-SSW.

"The helicopter was operated by Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd took off from Kampung Gawin to Tanjung Rambutan, Perak at 12.20pm carrying a pilot and five passengers," added Voo in the statement.

According to Voo, further investigations of the accident would be done by the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau under the Transport Ministry in accordance with Part XXVI of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.

Early media reports stated the helicopter had carried a medical staff on the way home to Ipoh, Perak.

As it is, the fates of all the passengers and pilot are still unknown.