1st Brunei-owned aircraft to crash.

[Mushrif A 3]

I think this is the first Brunei-owned aircraft to crash in the country or anywhere for that matter.

 

(There were previous accidents involving 9M-registered Merpati Intan's Do228 operating for BI that crashed near MYY and also a helicopter crash belonging to the S'pore Armed Forces that went down in Brunei many years ago.)

 

 

RBAirF chopper crashes in Temburong, one injured

By Waleed PD Mahdini

 

A bell 212 helicopter of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) crashed yesterday deep in the remote jungles of Temburong with just one out of its occupants sustaining a minor injury.

Dato Paduka Awg Hj Mustappa bin Hj Sirat, Deputy Minister of Defence, on an official visit to Australia, confirmed that "a Bell 212 was involved" in the crash, in which only one crewmember sustained minor injury.

The senior defence official added that "the extent of the damage is yet to be determined and the matter is being investigated to determine the cause".

According to some informed sources, the helicopter was believed to have been carrying RBAF personnel during the crash that happened deep in the interior jungles of Kg Belalong, within the vicinity of a radio transmitter that is two days away by foot.

Hj Bahrun Hj Talib, Penghulu of Mukim Amo further acknowledged that only one person from the crash was airlifted to RIPAS Hospital in the capital by one of the RBAirF's Blackhawk helicopters, which he happened to see fly overhead yesterday following the incident, and that the rest of the passengers and crew were in Bangar Town unscathed.

The venerable Bell 212 Twin Huey first flew in 1968 that was made iconic during the Vietnam War. The RBAirF's first Bell 212 has been operating since September 1973, when that maiden flight from Singapore to Brunei held the record, at the time, for the longest distance and fastest time taken for the type of aircraft.

Trusted and adored by its adherents, in the words of many RBAirF pilots, the Bell 212 is a 'forgiving' aircraft. Operated exclusively by the RBAirF's No 1 Squadron, the fleet of Bell 212's has faithfully logged 39 years of flying service for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

In November last year, the Ministry of Defence announced its decision to replace the RBAF's ageing Bell 212 workhorse with 12 new Sikorsky S70i Blackhawk helicopters, with the first delivery expected over a two-year period, starting from next year.

[zeqa 1]

If I'm not mistaken - in the 70s or 80s- a chopper operating for shell co. crash at sea. There are some survivor.

[Mushrif A 3]

If I'm not mistaken - in the 70s or 80s- a chopper operating for shell co. crash at sea. There are some survivor.

 

Searching the archives, there was indeed an earlier crash - in June 1959, when a heli carrying Brunei Shell crashed into the sea off Seria. At least five died. No details on heli type. But couldnt find anything on the 70s/80s.

[Mushrif A 3]

And there was also a Puma helicopter crash near Kuala Belait in December 1980 - maybe that was what Zeqa was referring to. But 12 people perished and the heli was not Brunei registered.

[zeqa 1]

And there was also a Puma helicopter crash near Kuala Belait in December 1980 - maybe that was what Zeqa was referring to. But 12 people perished and the heli was not Brunei registered.

 

Yeah- that could be it-I ask my parents about it -There were no survivor. In the 80s there's a helicopter service between Anduki Seria to Miri. in the 80s- There were no good roads access to Miri.

[Mushrif A 3]

And there was also a Puma helicopter crash near Kuala Belait in December 1980 - maybe that was what Zeqa was referring to. But 12 people perished and the heli was not Brunei registered.

 

The heli that crashed was operated and maintained by Bristow Helicopters Malaysia, and was operating for Shell Malaysia. At least some Brunei residents died in that crash, so it could have also operated for Brunei Shell. (Just like how MHS Helicopters had to step in for a while when Brunei Shell had gearbox lubrication problems with its then-new S-92 sikorsky back in '98-99, which resulted in at least a couple of emergency landings at BWN and off-airport near Mulu)

[Mike P 0]

I think the title is wrong... rather to crash.. it's crashed.

[Mushrif A 3]

I think the title is wrong... rather to crash.. it's crashed.

 

yup. engrish 101.