Malaysia Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad announced on September 10, 2026 the suspension of Flying Doctor Service flights in Sarawak for a safety review after a helicopter crash killed five people two days earlier near Long Lellang airstrip on Borneo.
The aircraft involved was a BO-105 registered 9M-LLF operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace, conducting a medical mission from Miri to remote communities including Long Lellang on September 8. Video posted to social media showed the helicopter flying under control but trailing thick gray smoke before it crashed and burst into flames.
The five victims were pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry, and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya Jok.
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia CEO Captain Norazman Mahmud said the operator voluntarily grounded its BO-105 fleet and other aircraft using Rolls-Royce 250-series engines as a precaution, stressing this did not establish an engine or component cause. CAAM is monitoring inspections and reviewing aircraft, operator and pilot records.
The Air Accident Investigation Bureau under the Transport Ministry is investigating. Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah said investigators were at the site on September 11. An initial report is expected within 30 days and a final report within a year.
The Health Ministry will examine safety, contracts, oversight and alternative ways to reach remote communities. Emergency medical evacuations will continue through cooperation with the Fire and Rescue Department, and military assistance for urgent patient transport is under discussion.
The crash also disrupted scheduled passenger services. AirBorneo said Long Lellang airstrip was temporarily closed to commercial operations, prompting it to move two September 9 flights between Miri and Long Lellang to September 11.
