Accident Overview
On 18 March 2022, at approximately 1220Z, a Bell 206B helicopter with registration ZS-HJJ was involved in an accident at Lumarie Game Farm Airstrip in North West Province, South Africa. The flight was a private operation under Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, conducted in visual meteorological conditions by day. The pilot and one passenger were engaged in an aerial search for a missing individual along the Crocodile River in the Koedoeskop Farm area.
While flying at about 25 feet above ground level along the river, the pilot momentarily looked down after spotting something in the water. Upon looking up, he observed power lines ahead and attempted to fly underneath them. One of the main rotor blades impacted the power line, severing it. The pilot then executed a precautionary landing, which was completed safely with no further damage to the helicopter.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The helicopter was a Bell 206B (serial number 3152) with a total of 5656.5 airframe hours. Its Certificate of Airworthiness was issued on 3 January 1983 and valid until 31 January 2023. The last mandatory periodic inspection was on 26 October 2021 at 5629.1 hours, with a Certificate of Release to Service valid until 25 October 2022 or 5729.1 hours.
The pilot, a 26-year-old male, held a valid Private Pilot Licence (Helicopter) issued on 22 February 2022, with an endorsement for the Bell 206B. He had 351.9 total flying hours, including 299.3 on type. His Class 2 medical certificate, issued 12 October 2021, required corrective lenses and a hearing aid.
Damage
The helicopter sustained substantial damage. An aircraft maintenance engineer found that one main rotor blade was damaged and the accompanying pitch link was bent from the impact with the power line. Both occupants were uninjured.
Probable Cause
The pilot was flying low level and the helicopter’s main rotor blade impacted a power line. The pilot performed a precautionary landing without any further damage.