TAPAH: The Eurocopter EC120B helicopter pilot who crashed in the Chikus Forest Reserve has succumbed to his injuries.
The Hong Kong-born pilot was identified as Tsz Kin Richard Chan, 58.
Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri confirmed the pilot's death during a press conference at the Bidor Police Station here.
Mohd Yusri said the missing helicopter was sighted by the Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) helicopter crew at the forest reserve area at 9.30am.
"About 10.12am, the pilot's body was taken out from the wreckage site and flown via a helicopter, which landed at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Anderson.
"The body was then taken to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) in Ipoh for a post-mortem," he said adding that the body arrived at the HRPB's Forensic Unit at 10.42am.
Mohd Yusri said during the rescue mission, the pilot lost consciousness.
"The pilot was found in the cockpit. There were no traces of explosions or burns at the scene.
"The cause of death will be known after the post-mortem at the HRPB is done. We have already informed his family members," he said.
Mohd Yusri added that the helicopter wreckage would be handled and sent to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) for further investigations.
"We will secure the crash site to deter anyone from entering the area as it can interfere with the investigations," he said.
He added that 207 staff and officers from various agencies including the police, Battalion 3 of General Operations Force, Air Unit, firemen, Forestry Department and Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) were involved in the operation.
Earlier, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the missing helicopter and pilot were found at 8.20am in Bidor.
It was reported yesterday that CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Captain Chester Voo confirmed that a helicopter lost contact with the Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC) at 12.16pm.
The helicopter with registration marking N409HH was operated by Heli Outpost Sdn Bhd.
The helicopter with one pilot in command took off from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, Selangor at 11.37am on Sunday for a private flight and was scheduled to land at 12.37pm at the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here.
CAAM said the Kuala Lumpur Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre in KLATCC was immediately activated to determine the helicopter's location.
In a statement, CAAM said Police Chopper MD helicopter completed the search at 6.39pm and safely returned to Subang Airport at 7.03pm.
A RMAF helicopter was also involved in the SAR operation until 7.12pm and safely landed in Butterworth at 8pm.
CAAM Ipoh Air Traffic Control Tower extended operations until 8.03pm to facilitate the SAR operation.
A ground search was carried out by police as well as the Fire and Rescue Department.
A Control Post on Scene was also established at the Bidor police station here.