Eight flights diverted, LTSAAS runway reopened after helicopter fire

Eight flights scheduled to land at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS) in Subang, Malaysia, were diverted to other airports following a helicopter fire incident. The airport's runway was temporarily closed, leading to the disruption of air traffic.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) Chief Executive Officer, Captain Datuk Norazman Mahmud, three flights were also prevented from taking off during the period the runway was inaccessible. The incident occurred in the Aircraft Movement Area, not on the runway itself, involving a helicopter.

The affected helicopter was identified as a Kamov Ka-32S with Ukrainian registration UR-CIT. CAAM confirmed that the fire broke out around 12:28 p.m. while the helicopter was undergoing ground engine testing as part of its maintenance activities. The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department received the emergency call at 12:30 p.m. and arrived at the scene four minutes later.

Initial reports from the Airport Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) indicated that four individuals, the pilot, co-pilot, and two Ukrainian crew members, managed to escape the blaze. One crew member sustained injuries from debris while outside the helicopter. The runway was later reopened after the situation was managed.

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Three flights were also held from departing during the period of closure.