What happened
On the morning of 2 March 2022, an Agusta-Bell 206A helicopter, registration ZS-RVP, departed Virginia Aerodrome (FAVG) in KwaZulu-Natal for a short private flight along the north coast. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers under visual flight rules.
During the transition from a hover to forward flight, the engine began to lose power. As the engine RPM decayed, the pilot attempted to manage the descent, but the helicopter struck the ground near Runway 05 and rolled onto its left side. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, including the severing of the tail boom by the main rotor blades. While the pilot and one passenger escaped without injury, the second passenger sustained minor injuries and required hospital treatment.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID focused on the mechanical state of the engine and the pilot's actions. Following the accident, the engine was removed and subjected to a test-cell bench test, which confirmed that the engine functioned normally and met all manufacturer specifications.
Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the engine failure. It was discovered that the pilot had performed an initial engine start attempt that was aborted due to a communication issue with the tower. During this first attempt, the battery was switched off before the fuel shutoff valve was properly set. When the second start was performed, the fuel shutoff valve remained in the closed position. This allowed the engine to run briefly on residual fuel remaining in the system, but eventually led to fuel starvation as the supply was exhausted.
Findings
- The engine shutdown was caused by the fuel shutoff valve being left in the 'off' position during the start sequence.
- The pilot was operating this specific helicopter model for the first time without documented transition training or familiarization.
- A Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) was not available in the cockpit at the time of the accident.
- The pilot executed an early flare during the loss of power, which contributed to the decay of rotor RPM and the unsuccessful landing.
- The lack of an available checklist likely contributed to the oversight regarding the fuel valve.
Safety action
Following the findings, a safety message was issued urging pilots who are transitioning between different series of the same helicopter type to ensure they complete all required familiarization training as mandated by civil aviation regulations.