What happened
On 2 December 2022, a student pilot was conducting a solo navigation training flight in a Robinson R44 Raven II, registration ZS-RYX. The flight, operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), began at Rand Airport (FAGM) in Gauteng Province, following a planned route via several airfields before returning to the home base.
Upon returning to Rand Airport, the pilot received landing clearance and proceeded to a designated helipad near Hangar Number 6. During the landing sequence, the rear portion of the right skid made heavy contact with the ground, causing the aircraft to bounce. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the pilot adjusted the collective lever, which instead triggered an abrupt 90-degree yaw to the left. Startled by this movement, the pilot applied further abrupt control inputs and raised the collective to prevent a rollover. This maneuver caused the nose to pitch up, leading to a catastrophic event where a main rotor blade severed the tail boom after the retreating blade struck the ground. The aircraft came to rest with substantial damage, though the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID confirmed that the student pilot was properly licensed and medically fit for the flight. The aircraft, ZS-RYX, was found to be airworthy and maintained in accordance with all regulations, with no pre-impact mechanical anomalies detected in the flight controls or airframe.
Investigators noted that a small fire broke out near the auxiliary fuel tank following the impact, but the flames were quickly extinguished by nearby personnel. Meteorological data indicated that weather conditions were favorable, with a light headwind and clear visibility, and were not a contributing factor to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the inadequate leveling of the helicopter's landing skids prior to touchdown.
- The pilot's attempt to correct the initial hard landing with abrupt control inputs led to the rotor blade striking the tail boom.
- Training records indicated the pilot had previously struggled with maintaining proper aircraft level during the landing phase of flight.