Incident Overview
On 23 October 2001 at 1300Z, a Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopter, registration ZS-RNL, was involved in a landing accident at Prieska Poort, South Africa. The flight was a commercial operation with one person on board. There were no injuries and no fatalities. The aircraft sustained light damage from a main rotor blade strike.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, the landing was at a farm near Prieska where the aircraft would normally be cleaned and overnighted. The pilot positioned the helicopter to avoid sprayers, then moved slightly to the right, resulting in the main rotor blades striking the branches of a Syringe tree along the trailing edge.
Weather Conditions
The weather at the time was fine, with wind from 315° at 15 knots, temperature +31°C, and good visibility.
Damage and Investigation
The main rotor blade strike was classified as light. Eurocopter recommended removal and inspection of the main rotor head, which was carried out with no damage found. New blades were fitted, tracked, and balanced, and the aircraft was returned to service. The probable cause was determined to be the pilot misjudging his position during the descent into a confined landing area, allowing the main rotor blades to strike the branches of a Syringe tree.