What happened
On 4 August 2021, a Robinson 44 helicopter, registration ZS-RHD, was performing aerial work for a game capture operation at Elim Game Farm near Hertzogville in the Free State. While flying parallel to a fence and powerlines, the pilot observed an animal moving from the right side of the aircraft toward the fence. In an attempt to steer the animal away from the boundary, the pilot executed a left-hand bank. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck live powerlines and became entangled, leaving the helicopter suspended approximately one meter above the ground.
The pilot successfully jumped from the suspended aircraft without sustaining injuries. However, shortly after the escape, the helicopter caught fire. The pilot was unable to retrieve a fire extinguisher from the cabin due to the extreme risk of electrocution while the aircraft remained in contact with the live wires. The aircraft was subsequently destroyed.
The investigation
SACAA AIID reviewed the circumstances surrounding the collision and the pilot's actions. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and the necessary game capturing rating. The inquiry focused on the flight path, the low-altitude nature of the operation, and the sequence of maneuvers that led to the entanglement with the electrical infrastructure.