Accident Details
On October 23, 2018, at approximately 0745 Coordinated Universal Time, a Bell UH-1H helicopter registered as ZS-HLP impacted terrain during a firefighting mission near Vermaaklikheid, South Africa. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged in a post-impact fire. The flight had departed Stillbaai Aerodrome in the Western Cape, South Africa, around 0615. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
The helicopter was operated by Kishugu Aviation under the civil aviation regulations of South Africa.
Investigation
The Accident & Incident Investigation Division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the accident. As the state of manufacture of the helicopter, the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has designated a U.S. accredited representative to assist the AIID in its investigation.
All inquiries concerning this accident should be directed to:
South African Civil Aviation Authority Accidents and Incidents Investigation Division Private Bag X 73 Halfway House 1685 South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 11 545-1000 Website: http://www.caa.co.za