KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry will conduct an investigation on the helicopter crash in Taman Melawati, near here today.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Ir Wee Ka Siong said the accident was reported at 11.50am involving two G2CA helicopters registered as 9M-HCA and 9M-HCB.
"The helicopters which had departed from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, was in a flight training session with four crew members.
"A mid-air collision occurred involving both helicopters, after which one crash landed, while the other successfully made an emergency landing in a field adjacent to SJKT Taman Melawati," he said in a statement.
Following the accident, the Kuala Lumpur Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (KL ARCC) was activated to provide rescue coordination efforts.
"Tragically, the latest information indicates that two crew members perished in the crash landing, while the other two have been given necessary medical attention," he said.
Wee informed that a technical investigation would be conducted based on Annex 13 - Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO Annex 13) by the Transport Ministry's Air Accident Investigation Bureau (BKSU).
He said based on ICAO Annex 13, an initial investigation report would be prepared within 30 days from the date of the accident.
"The main objective of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and cause of the accident with an aim of safeguarding lives and preventing future accidents. In this regard, the investigation to be initiated is neither to apportion blame nor liability," Wee said.
He said the investigation team will be issuing a full report of the findings, which will include recommendations for improvements towards better civil aviation safety once the entire investigation is completed.
"The government will use these findings as a basis to form future recommendations for holistic improvements to the country's civil aviation industry," Wee said.