Abdul Halim Mustapa, 56, of Kampung Sungai Pening, said he noticed the helicopter was already on fire in mid-air.
“It was on fire and I saw the tail blades fly off the helicopter,” Abdul Halim, whose house is among the closest to the crash site, said.
He said the helicopter was circling the area, seemingly looking for a place to land.
“It circled the area about three times before it crashed in the woods,” he said.
“I didn’t see the explosion, but when it crashed it was very loud and there was smoke.”
Norlelah Sani, 52, said she called the Fire and Rescue Department when she saw the helicopter crashing at 5pm.
A picture purportedly showing debris at the scene of the helicopter crash near Kampung Pasir Baru in Semenyih April 4, 2015. — Picture courtesy of Selangor Fire and Rescue Department
“I wanted to go and help but it was too far, so I called the police. The helicopter was on fire in mid-air but it did not explode while in the air,” she said.
“I saw the tail portion flying off, and then it plunged into the jungle.
Norlelah said she heard a loud crash and saw thick smoke from the jungle.
Another resident, who declined to give his name, said he saw the helicopter spinning before it crashed.
“It was raining and there was strong wind. The tail of the helicopter was on fire. I saw it was spinning, and then it crashed,” he said.
