2004: THE MYSTERYOF THE MISSING BELL 206 LONG RANGER HELICOPTER IN BARIO, SARAWAK

On July 12, 2004, a Hornbill Skyways Bell 206L-4 LongRanger helicopter vanished over the dense, mountainous jungles of Sarawak. What followed was one of the most intensive search and rescue (SAR) operations in Malaysian history, involving international aid and a "miraculous" discovery 16 days later.

The Disappearance

The helicopter departed from Bario at 12:15 PM for a short, 17-minute flight to Ba’Kelalan. On board were seven people, including high-ranking Sarawak officials. When the aircraft failed to arrive, an immediate search was triggered, but the region's notoriously thick canopy and unpredictable weather made the task nearly impossible.

The Passengers and Crew

The crash claimed the lives of all seven people on board:

1. Dr. Judson Sakal Tagal: Sarawak Assistant Minister and Ba’kelalan State Assemblyman.
2. Capt. Samsuddin Hashim: The pilot.
3. Roger Wong: CEO of Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (SESCO).
4. Jason Eng: SESCO General Manager.
5. Ling Tian Ho: SESCO Engineer.
6. Datuk Marcus Raja: A prominent contractor.
7. Lawrence Th’ng: Chairman of the Padawan Municipal Council.

The Massive Search Operation

The SAR mission lasted 16 days and grew to include:

• International Support: The U.S. Navy provided a P-3C Orion aircraft; Australia, Indonesia, and Brunei sent specialized personnel and equipment.
• High-Tech Tools: For the first time in Malaysia, teams used hyperspectral imaging, Thermal Infra-Red (FLIR) sensors, and LIDAR to "see" through the forest canopy.
• The "Weird Dream": Years later, former Deputy Chief Minister Dr. George Chan revealed he had a dream on the second day of the search where three religious men showed him the exact crash site. Despite his skepticism as a doctor, he ordered searches in that area (which was off the standard flight path), though nothing was found until the final day.

The Discovery and Cause

The wreckage was eventually spotted on July 27, 2004, at the foot of Mount Murud. A Hornbill Skyways pilot finally sighted pieces of the debris through a small break in the trees.

The investigation by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) attributed the crash to pilot error combined with adverse conditions. The helicopter was flying at a high altitude with a low power margin while battling heavy rain and strong winds, leading to a loss of control in the rugged terrain.

Legacy of the Incident

The tragedy deeply impacted Sarawak's political landscape and led to a mandatory grounding of the Hornbill Skyways fleet for safety audits. It also highlighted the extreme dangers of flying in the "Heart of Borneo," where weather can change in seconds.

All seven bodies were eventually recovered, though the process was difficult due to the nature of the crash and the 16 days that had passed before the site was found.

Recovery Details

When the search and rescue teams finally reached the crash site at the foot of Mount Murud on July 29, 2004, they confirmed there were no survivors. The recovery process involved the following:

• Initial Discovery: Rescuers initially found five bodies within the immediate wreckage of the helicopter.
• Wider Search: Because the impact was severe, the remaining remains and body parts were found scattered within a 200-meter radius of the crash site.
• Identification: Due to the 16-day delay and the impact, forensic identification was necessary. The remains were flown to Miri Hospital for post-mortem examinations and formal identification.
• Handover: On July 31, 2004, the remains of all seven victims were officially handed over to their families for burial.

The recovery brought a somber closure to what remains one of Malaysia's longest and most challenging aviation search operations.

Google Gemini AI

21 January 2026: 11.36 p.m