Helicopter carrying five crashes in northern Sarawak

KUCHING – A helicopter has crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport (short take-off and landing airport) in the interior of Marudi district in northern Sarawak on Sept 8.According to initial information from the Miri Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS), the helicopter, which had five people on board, crashed near the end of the airstrip at Long Lellang.It is believed to be carrying medical personnel in the Flying Doctor Service programme.Located about 310km from Miri, the Long Lellang STOLport serves the rural area of Long Lellang, including some of Sarawak’s most remote Kelabit and Penan communities.The STOLport is located next to Long Lellang village.The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed the crash, saying that a BO-105 helicopter, registration number 9M-LLF, crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport, Sarawak.CAAM received notification of the incident from the Flight Information Service at 3.58pm. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK