Logging crash in Malaysian jungle

[Heliport]

Malaysia Star report

KUCHING: A European pilot and his Malaysian co-pilot were injured when their helicopter crashed into the jungle while transporting logs out from a concession area in Ulu Belaga, Kapit Division.

Bintulu deputy police chief Deputy Supt Patrick Jemy Dundon said the pilot, who had not been identified, had been transferred to a private hospital here for treatment.

The co-pilot received treatment at the Bintulu hospital and had been discharged.

Dundon said a report on the crash, which occurred on Sunday, had been lodged in Bintulu. He said the incident had been referred to the Department of Civil Aviation.

An investigating team from Belaga police station left yesterday for the crash site, according to chief inspector Mohd Rizal Kontan in a telephone interview from here.
“The crash site is deep in the jungle and near to the Kalimantan border. My men are only expected to be back in one or two days' time,” he added.
He had no details on how the crash happened or the conditions of the injured pilot and co-pilot.

Anyone know any more?

[Thumper2]

Talked to a friend on site, a wrench on the a/c. The crew is ok a few busted bones but no big trouble, they will be fine.

[clearleft]

Any clues on the name of the operator or A/C type???

[Cyclic Hotline]

Erickson Aircrane. S64F.

IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 223AC Make/Model: S64 Description: S-64 SKYCRANE (CH-54 TARHE) Date: 06/01/2003 Time:

Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N Damage: Unknown

LOCATION City: State: Country: MY

DESCRIPTION: DURING LOGGING OPERATION IN MALAYSIA US REGISTERED ROTORCRAFT CRASHED, CAUSING UNKNOWN DAMAGE. PILOT WAS TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL, INJURIES UNKNOWN BUT NOT LIFE THREATENING. COPILOT WAS NOT INJURIED. MALAYSIA

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk: 1
# Pass: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

WEATHER: NOT REPORTED

OTHER DATA
Activity: Business Phase: Unknown Operation: Foreign (FORG)

Departed: UNKN Dep Date: Dep. Time:
Destination: UNKN Flt Plan: Wx Briefing:
Last Radio Cont: UNKN
Last Clearance:

FAA FSDO: BOISE, ID (NM11) Entry date: 06/02/2003

[Cyclic Hotline]

NTSB Identification: SEA03WA094
14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Sunday, June 01, 2003 in Bintutu, Malaysia
Aircraft: Sikorsky S-64F, registration: N223AC
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor.

On June 1, 2003, approximately 0930 local time, a Sikorsky S-64F helicopter, N223AC, was destroyed following a forced landing after a loss of control during logging operations approximately 100 nautical miles east of Bintutu, Malaysia. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Erickson Air-Crane Inc., of Central Point, Oregon. The pilot-in-command sustained serious injuires, and the pilot acting as second-in-command sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

It was reported that during a long-line logging operation, the pilot-in-command (PIC) noticed smoke coming from the transmission area. The PIC chose to return to the landing area. Prior to arriving at the landing zone, the helicopter experienced a total main flight control hydraulic failure. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter during the emergency landing. After touch down a post-crash fire consumed the wreckage.