What happened
On 18 March 2022, a Bell 206B helicopter, registration ZS-HJJ, was performing a private aerial search mission along the Crocodile River at Koedoeskop Farm in the North West province. The flight was being conducted under visual meteorological conditions to assist a local resident in locating a missing person.
While flying at an altitude of approximately 25 feet above the ground, the pilot momentarily diverted their attention downward after spotting an object in the river. Upon looking back at the flight path, the pilot identified power lines directly ahead. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the pilot maneuvered to fly beneath the wires; however, one of the main rotor blades struck the lines, causing them to sever. The pilot subsequently executed a successful precautionary landing, resulting in no injuries to the two occupants on board.
The investigation
An investigation into the incident examined the aircraft's maintenance status and the pilot's credentials. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence with the appropriate helicopter endorsement. The aircraft's maintenance records showed that a mandatory periodic inspection had been completed in October 2021, and the airworthiness certificate was valid at the time of the event.
Technical assessment of the aircraft following the impact revealed substantial damage to the airframe. Specifically, an aircraft maintenance engineer confirmed that one main rotor blade was damaged and the associated pitch link had been bent during the contact with the power lines.