TAMPIN: Residents of this quiet town were startled when a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Nuri helicopter made an emergency landing on a school field at SRJK (T) Pulau Sebang near here at 8.40am yesterday.

The S61A Sikorsky aircraft was forced to land after its pilot, identified only as Captain Shah, who was flying the helicopter from Kuala Lumpur to Kem Terendak in Malacca, experienced technical difficulties.

His swift action, with help of three other co-pilots, helped ensure the helicopter landed safely.

A security guard at the school said he was making his rounds in the school compound when he saw the helicopter descending and flying across the school roof.

"I heard a loud sound and when I looked up, I saw a helicopter flying across the roof. Minutes later, it landed on the field, about 10m from the building.

"As soon as the helicopter landed, I saw four men jump out, carrying fire extinguishers. They immediately began spraying foam into the helicopter," said the security guard, who declined to be identified.

Another witness, Mohd Razak Rasol, 13, said he was playing with his friends near the field when he heard the helicopter and felt a strong gust of wind.

"I thought the men were training when I saw them carrying fire extinguishers. This is the first time I have seen a helicopter at close range," said the amused student.

At press time, the helicopter was still parked on the field, awaiting the arrival of a RMAF investigation team to determine the cause of the technical glitch.

A statement released by the RMAF headquarters at Wisma Pertahanan in Kuala Lumpur yesterday said the Nuri helicopter of the 10th Squadron Air Base in Kuala Lumpur made a precautionary landing on the school field at 8.40am.

"The helicopter was on its way to Kem Terendak in Malacca to be used for training at the Army Combat Training Centre.

"During the flight, the pilot encountered some technical problems and decided to land the helicopter to avoid any untoward incident and to facilitate further inspection."

There were no injuries to the crew or any damage to the helicopter. The helicopter is being repaired by RMAF technicians and engineers.

The statement urged the media and public not to speculate on the emergency landing as it was a normal procedure.