In the wake of the latest helicopter crash in Sarawak, the state tourism minister has noted that the onus was on aircraft operators to regulate safety procedures and adhere to Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) regulations.

Expressing condolences to the families of passengers who perished in yesterday's Eurocopter EC 120 crash near the Lingga estuary in Sri Aman, Abang Johari Tun Openg said:

"Aircraft maintenance and safety measures are vital aspects of air transport. For instance, ministers like us, who are given the opportunity to travel in the helicopter are strictly directed to follow whatever decision is made by the captain... nobody can overrule the aircraft commander's decision, as far as safety is concerned," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the opening of the Kuching City North Hall Ramadan Bazaar at Satok, Kuching today.

Asked if there was a Sarawak cabinet ruling against flying under bad weather conditions, Abang Johari said, the standing rule was that the captain's decision was final, as had always been reminded by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud to his ministers.

    

However, he said, the probe currently being conducted by DCA on the cause of the crash, with initial investigations indicating the Sebiro Holdings-owned helicopter had sunk upon impact, should be left to the experts.

He said past findings had shown, a lack of proper safety procedures on the part of operators were some of the weaknesses identified.

High incidence of copter crashes

In yesterday's mishap, German pilot Rico Steger, 35, who was ferrying three passengers in the helicopter to assess a project in Nanga Merit, Kapit from Kuching, was rescued by fishermen after he swam for four hours in strong water currents.

So far, the bodies of two passengers, including Sebiro Holdings engineer and Sarawak PKR vice-president Peter Ato Mayau, 53, and surveyor Khuzaimah Anuar, 27, were recovered by local fishermen and villagers assisting in the search and rescue operation, some distance from the crash site.

The remaining passenger, identified as architect Henry Lau Tee Yong, 42, has been reported missing.

Due to its vast and difficult terrain, Sarawak has witnessed a high incidence of helicopter crashes over the years, with the previous one in April last year.

In that incident, a Sabah Air Bell 206 helicopter crashed at the Sibu Town Square, about three metres above the ground, seconds after it took off, killing the pilot, Sahaimi Ghazali.

He was the only person in the aircraft.

- Bernama