On the morning of April 23, 2024, ten crew members lost their lives when two helicopters from the Malaysian Navy collided during a training exercise. The incident happened in Lumut, the location of the navy’s primary base, at around 9:30 a.m. local time.
The Royal Malaysian Navy issued a statement outlining the details of the event. Two helicopters, an Agusta Westland AW139 Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM) and a Eurocopter Fennec, were involved in the accident. The HOM, carrying seven crew members, crashed near the stadium’s elevated seating area within the navy complex. The Fennec, with three onboard, fell near a swimming pool.
“All ten crew members aboard the helicopters were confirmed dead at the scene,” reported the Navy, marking a sorrowful day for the Malaysian military and the nation as a whole. Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, described the incident as a “heart-wrenching tragedy” and promised a comprehensive investigation to uncover the cause of the collision.
Videos shared on social media by eyewitnesses showed the seconds leading up to the collision. One helicopter appears to hit the other’s rear rotor, causing both aircraft to plunge to the ground. These recordings have prompted a wave of shock and sorrow from Malaysians and people worldwide.
The Navy’s official statement noted that the helicopters were preparing for the Navy Day celebrations scheduled for May 3. This day is meant to display naval capabilities and honor maritime heroes. However, this tragedy has cast a dark cloud over the upcoming event.
This crash adds to a concerning trend of aerial accidents involving Malaysian aircraft. In 2015, a helicopter crash in central Selangor state resulted in the death of Jamaluddin Jarjis, the then-Malaysian ambassador to the United States, along with four others.
In 2016, a crash in Sarawak claimed the lives of six individuals, including Noriah Kasnon, the then Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. Another helicopter collision in 2020 east of Kuala Lumpur led to two fatalities.
Just last month, a Malaysian Coast Guard helicopter fell into the sea near Angsa Island, Malaysia, during a training flight. The pilot, co-pilot, and two passengers were rescued by local fishermen.
