2012 Rampayoh helicopter crash

Investigation

The accident was determined to be primarily the result of "human error," according to the Supreme BOI report written by the RBAF with assistance from foreign experts, as reported by Borneo Bulletin. According to investigations, the helicopter's pilot violated flight regulations by engaging in "unauthorised low-level flying," which resulted in a "Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT)" mishap.

According to the study, when the Bell 212's radio transmission dropped off the "Brunei Radar," the Department of Civil Aviation's (DCA) Air Traffic Control Unit failed to notify the appropriate parties in accordance with aviation control protocols. On 1 September 2012, during a news conference held at the MinDef at Bolkiah Garrison, the Supreme BOI announced the results of its five-week inquiry. The Commander of the RBAF, Major General Aminuddin Ihsan and the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mustappa Sirat, convened the news conference.

First Admiral Abdul Halim, Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy, who was in charge of the BOI, presented a detailed report in which he stated that, according to illustrations taken from the report of its findings, the helicopter's pilot had engaged in "unauthorised low-level flying" around the Wasai Wang Tebadak area (LP KB 195A) at a speed of about 60-80 kn before the crash. He then made a 45-degree "banking" to follow the river's path. He stated:

The investigation also said that on 20 July 2012, the day of the event, at around 8.55 a.m., the Royal Brunei Air Force Base in Kampong Rimba was the departure point for the RBAF's Bell 212 helicopter. The crash happened about 09:17 a.m., after taking off and losing contact with the "Brunei Radar." in the morning in clear weather. After a training exercise was over, the aircraft was moving troops between landing zones from KB 404 to KB 199. Of the 14 military people transported on the mission, three were aircraft crew, two were trainers, one was staff, and eight were officer cadets. According to the report, the aircraft was thought to have crashed at approximately 10.15 a.m.

All aircraft flying in the nation's airspace are required to make bps regular call communication every 30 minutes, under the aviation control protocol of the Air Traffic Control Unit of the DCA. However, there was no further contact, and the DCA Air Traffic Control Unit neglected to notify the RBAF to initiate a "distress procedure" and to issue an INCERFA (uncertainty phase) warning. This continued for several hours, leading to a "alerting service" that was not carried out in accordance with protocol, the report continued.

According to Dato Halim, the BOI evaluated environmental and material considerations, verifying that the aircraft was airworthy and the weather was favourable at the time of the event. According to the verification of three foreign inquiry specialists, there were no technical issues discovered before the disaster. Expert teams from Bell Textron, Pratt & Whitney, and the United States Army Combat Readiness Center's Air Accident Investigation Team provided support to the BOI. The results of the investigation were communicated to the accident victims' relatives before the press presentation, and the full BOI report—which includes further recommendations—will be made public on 16 September 2012.