What happened
On the morning of 29 December 2025, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, registration ZS-ROM, was performing agricultural spraying operations at Spitsbak Citrus Farm near Hankey, Eastern Cape. The aircraft was engaged in its seventh spray load of the day, flying at an altitude of approximately 30 feet above ground level. During the maneuver, the helicopter struck three 10-kilovost electrical conductors.
Two of the cables were severed upon impact, while a third cable became entangled around the lower part of the main rotor mast. This entanglement jammed two of the front control rods, which connect to the lower swash plate assembly, significantly restricting the pilot's ability to maneuver. Although the pilot initially maintained some control, the loss of cyclic movement caused the aircraft to roll heavily to the right. The helicopter subsequently descended through the orchard's protective netting and came to rest on its right side. The pilot sustained one injury, specifically a laceration to the lower left leg, but avoided head injuries due to wearing a helmet.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight conditions and the aircraft's configuration. At the time of the accident, the pilot was flying with the right front door removed to monitor the spray reservoir level on the right skid. The investigation noted that the orchard trees were covered in white netting, which was elevated about 26 feet above the ground.
Investigators also reviewed the operator's documentation, finding that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for crop spraying were generic and lacked specific instructions for navigating orchards covered with netting. Furthermore, the operator's approved manual did not include procedures for managing the unique risks associated with netted vegetation.
Findings
Several contributing factors led to the powerline strike:
- The grey color of the electrical cables made them difficult to distinguish against the white orchard netting.
- The cables were drooping low between pylons, placing them near the flight path.
- The early morning sunlight and the sloping topography of the terrain further obscured the visibility of the wires.
- The pilot's attention was partially diverted while monitoring the spray reservoir level.
- The powerlines lacked any visible hazard identification markers.
Safety action
Following the investigation, recommendations were made to the Director of Civil Aviation regarding the revision of operations manuals for all helicopter operators involved in agricultural spraying. Specifically, manuals should include detailed procedures for spraying over net-covered crops to address the heightened risk of wire strikes. Additionally, the investigation highlighted the need for the regulator to ensure that Air Operator Certificates (AOC) clearly specify the relevant parts of the Civil Aviation Regulations to prevent operational confusion.