A tragic helicopter accident in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia, has resulted in the death of an Indonesian national, casting a somber shadow on cross-border labor. The fatal incident, which saw a Bell 206L4 helicopter burst into fire flames during a refueling stop, underscores the inherent risks faced by workers in various sectors, particularly those involved in specialized aerial operations.
The deceased has been identified as Finsen Resky Sembiring, a 27-year-old Indonesian engineer. Reports indicate that Sembiring was on the ground near the landing site when the fatal helicopter fire incident, owned by Indonesian company Zaveryna Utama and leased by a Malaysian firm for power line installation work, lost control.
Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations suggest that the helicopter’s skid grazed the landing surface while hovering at a low altitude for refueling. This contact caused the aircraft to overturn and immediately catch fire, tragically striking Sembiring with its rotor blade, leading to his instant death at the scene.
Fortunately, the pilot, 44-year-old Kustiyadi, also an Indonesian national, survived the harrowing incident with only minor injuries. A quick-thinking local security guard at the site bravely rescued him from the burning wreckage, preventing further casualties and highlighting remarkable courage in the face of danger.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Indonesian Citizen Protection and Legal Assistance Director Judha Nugraha, confirmed the fatality and stated that the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is coordinating with Malaysian aviation authorities. The immediate priority is to facilitate the repatriation of Sembiring’s remains to his home country.
This incident has prompted a thorough investigation by Malaysian authorities, including the Air Accident Investigation Bureau under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia. The probe aims to determine the exact cause of the accident, examining factors related to the helicopter’s operation, maintenance, and the procedures for ground refueling.
The tragic death of Finsen Resky Sembiring serves as a painful reminder of the dangers associated with industrial work, particularly in high-risk environments. It emphasizes the critical need for stringent safety protocols and continuous vigilance to protect the lives of workers, both local and foreign, involved in essential infrastructure projects.