Occurrence
On Tuesday, 1 June 2021, at approximately 0945Z, a Schweizer 269C helicopter (registration ZS-RVD) departed from New Tempe Aerodrome (FATP) near Bloemfontein and landed on Farm Middelwater in the Brandfort District, Free State Province. The helicopter was conducting an aerial work operation (Part 128) involving darting buffalo with medication.
Sequence of Events
The pilot removed the helicopter's two doors before departure. The pilot briefed the passenger, a farm manager, on the operation. The passenger was seated in the right seat and secured with the helicopter's lap strap but did not use the shoulder harnesses, as he needed to position himself for darting. Due to cold weather, the passenger wore a bulky jacket.
The passenger had a dart gun and medication capsules. After locating a herd of buffalo, the pilot manoeuvred the helicopter and the passenger darted the first animal. The passenger then reloaded and turned right to orient himself for the second buffalo. During this period, the passenger's safety harness became undone. While the helicopter was in a right turn at an altitude of approximately 30 to 50 feet above ground level and a forward speed of about 5 knots, the passenger fell out.
Aftermath
The pilot landed immediately and notified relevant parties. An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) helicopter was dispatched from FATP to the scene. The passenger was stabilised at the scene and transported to a hospital in Bloemfontein with serious injuries. The helicopter sustained no damage.
Investigation Findings
A post-accident inspection of the safety harness (lap strap) found it intact and serviceable. The passenger did not use an additional safety harness.
Probable Cause
The passenger most probably inadvertently unlatched his safety harness while manoeuvring in the helicopter to dart the buffalos and, during the right turn, lost his seating and fell out of the helicopter.
Contributory Factor
The passenger did not make use of an additional safety harness as a backup to the helicopter-equipped safety harness.
Safety Recommendations and Messages
The report recommends that the Director of Civil Aviation mandate the use of an additional safety harness for all operations in which a crew member or person exposes any part of their body outside of the helicopter. It also advises operators involved in game work and associated helicopter operations to ensure crew members or passengers with specific functions (e.g., game darting, culling, hoisting) are equipped with an alternate safety harness attached to a hard point in the helicopter to prevent falls and serious injury.