Nuri Crash Report Not Ready

KUALA LUMPUR: Bernama reported today that the Nuri (pictured above, pics by RMAF) copter crash was not ready.

Bernama.com
Malaysian National News Agency

Inquiry Into Nuri Crash Not Ready, Says RMAF Chief
General
August 14, 2007 19:52 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) — The inquiry into the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Nuri crash at Genting Sempah last month has not been completed, said RMAF Chief, Jeneral Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin.

“I cannot say for sure when it can be ready as the chopper engine is still at the crash scene. Firstly, we have to dismantle and bring it out of the area,” he told reporters after presenting a cheque for RM600,000 from the Armed Forces Cooperative to widows and heirs of the victims here today.

For the full story click here.

Even with the engine out of the bush, I would expect the report NOT to be ready. Without cockpit voice and flight data recorders to work with, investigators will not be able to make the decision on who or what to blame for the crash.

From past Nuri crashes, Malaysian Defence could surmised that the incident happened due to several factors, pilot failure to bad weather.It is the same thing for other crashes in the past.

We will never know for sure as without black boxes it is hard to make an informed decision on the crash. So we will be left with good guesses and presumption.

Lets hope the new helicopters to replace the Nuri will be equipped with the black boxes.

In the meantime, it looked like that the Agusta Westland EH101 seemed to be clear favourite of Malaysian Defence readers. Since the poll was put up, the EH101 has been leading the pack.

Lets hope those who decides on these matter will make an informed choice. It is the least we can do for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.