JOHOR BARU: The Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) Nuri helicopter, which was forced to make an emergency landing at Gubir Camp in Kedah on Friday, was believed to have encountered some mechanical problems.
RMAF chief Tan Sri Affendi Buang said problems were detected on the helicopter's fan blade, where the rotor fan was believed to be unable to maintain its speed, causing the aircraft to lose power to fly higher.
“We have yet to finalise it, but from the description given by the pilot, it is likely due to mechanical problems, where the aircraft or the rotor fan could not maintain its speed.
“That’s what we know (for now) and maybe after further investigation, we will be able to get more information,” said at the 38th Accreditation Ceremony of Public Universities’ Palapes cadet officers at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) here Saturday.
Following the incident, Affendi said, the RMAF had temporarily grounded its Nuri assets pending the outcome of the investigation to determine the cause of Friday’s incident.
He said RMAF was still using eight Nuri helicopters which it acquired since the 1970s for its Kuching Squadron, in Sawarak, and in Butterworth, Penang.
It was reported on Friday that four helicopter crew and 11 personnel from the Armed Forces were slightly injured when the Nuri helicopter they were riding in had to make an emergency landing at Gubir Camp.
RMAF said in the 3pm incident, the helicopter, from the Butterworth airbase, was on a mission to fly the Armed Forces personnel and supplies. — Bernama