What happened
On 24 August 2021, a Robinson R2/2 Beta II helicopter, registration ZS-ROA, was performing game capturing duties at a private farm near the Nylsvlei Nature Reserve in Limpopo. The flight was being conducted under Part 137 regulations during daylight hours. While the pilot was maneuvering animals toward a boma, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power, resulting in a descent of approximately five meters.
During this descent, the tail cone of the helicopter made contact with a tree. The impact caused the stabilizer assembly to separate from the tail section. Following the structural failure, the aircraft entered an uncontrollable nose-right yaw. In an attempt to arrest the spin, the pilot moved the throttle to the off position. The helicopter subsequently descended into a clearing, where it struck the ground with significant force and rolled onto its right side. The pilot escaped the crash without injury, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage to its skids, main rotor blades, and tail rotor.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the flight altitude and the sequence of mechanical failures. While the pilot initially reported operating at a height of 50 to 100 meters above ground level—well above the 30-meter tall trees in the area—investigators noted that the trees at the accident site appeared to be shorter than reported. This led to the conclusion that the pilot was likely flying at a lower altitude than stated at the moment of impact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the tail cone striking a tree during low-level flight operations.
- The impact resulted in the separation of the stabilizer assembly and a subsequent loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- The loss of structural integrity in the tail section induced an uncontrollable yaw and spin.
- The pilot's actual flight altitude was likely lower than the reported 50–100 meters, increasing the risk of obstacle contact.