Lumut Crash: Helicopter wreckage to be disposed - Khaled
The machines were beyond repair for use in RMN operations.
LUMUT - The government has learned lessons from the helicopter crash at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Base in Lumut, which claimed 10 lives on April 23, by strengthening safety features.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that the incident would serve as a guide for all parties to be better prepared for any future possibilities.
"We will learn from that experience.
"Although we know that accidents are unpredictable and unavoidable, we will ensure that everything we learn from this incident can be used as a lesson," he said during his working visit and meet-and-greet session at the RMN Base in Lumut on Monday.
During the visit, he presented contributions from the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) to five families of the crash victims.
The contributions were given to the families of Nor Rahiza Anuar, Noor Farahimi Mohd Saedy, Mohd Shahrizan Mohd Termizi, Muhammad Faisol Tamadun and T Sivasutan.
Khaled said that a tragedy involving such loss of life is not easy to accept, but the government took appropriate steps to alleviate the burden on the victims' families.
"I believe that with strong support from colleagues, neighbours and the attention given by the government, at least we can reduce the sadness," he said.
Meanwhile, he said that the wreckage of the Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM-AW139) and the AS 555 SN Fennec involved in the tragedy would be disposed of in the near future.
He explained that the disposal process would take place after both helicopters were confirmed to be beyond repair for use in RMN operations.
"The helicopter wreckage will be disposed of soon," he said.
In the incident, the HOM-AW139 carrying four crew members and three passengers and the Fennec Aircraft with three crew members, crashed after colliding mid-air at the RMN Base in Lumut.
The incident claimed the lives of all the victims who were participating in a rehearsal for the 90th RMN Anniversary Parade.
During the visit, Khaled also handed over a cheque worth RM38 million to Lumut Base Commander, First Admiral Jamaludin Sairi, representing government allocations for repair and maintenance work on various class family housing blocks within the base.
Additionally, welfare assistance of RM300 from the Armed Forces Fund Board Foundation (YLTAT) was given to 20 recipients, including members and heirs suffering from chronic diseases and Madani Education contributions of RM50 were deposited into the National Education Savings Scheme (Simpanan SSPN Prime) accounts for 10 students who are children of the members.
