What happened
On the morning of 1 August 2024, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, registered ZS-HEM, was engaged in a game-capture operation at Alpha Farm in Jakkalsfontein, Free State. The mission involved using the aircraft and a ground vehicle to guide a herd of springboks into a boma. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions as a private operation.
During the maneuver, the pilot was coordinating with a ground crew driver via radio to position a vehicle along the perimeter of the herd. As the pilot transitioned the helicopter into a backward flight position to manage the movement of the animals, the tail rotor blades struck an anthill. The impact severed the rotor blades and caused the tail boom to separate from the aircraft. The loss of control led the helicopter to roll onto its right side, resulting in a crash near the farm fence. The pilot sustained serious injuries and was rendered unconscious at the scene.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the low-level flight. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's maintenance was up to date, with a mandatory periodical inspection having been completed recently. The pilot was appropriately rated and held a valid medical certificate. The investigation focused on the sequence of the flight maneuvers and the physical impact of the tail rotor against the ground obstacle.