What happened
On 10 November 2014, a Robinson R44, registration ZS-RRW, was conducting a private flight from Virginia Aerodrome to Vanderbijlpark Aerodrome. While en route, the aircraft passed Ladysmith when the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing because the passenger began feeling unwell. During this maneuver, the helicopter experienced a hard impact with the ground in an open field. The force of the landing caused the main rotor blades to strike the tail boom and resulted in significant damage to the skids and windscreen. Both the pilot and the passenger escaped the incident without injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the descent. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's mechanical systems were functioning correctly and that the weather conditions—characterized by clear skies and light winds—were not a contributing factor. The inquiry focused on the flight dynamics during the approach to the field. Evidence suggested that the aircraft's descent was uncontrolled, characterized by a rapid vertical drop and a counter-clockwise spin. The damage to the airframe was consistent with a high-velocity vertical impact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM, which led to an uncontrolled descent and a hard landing.
- The pilot's attention was distracted by the medical distress of the passenger during the cruise phase of the flight.
- The landing technique used during the approach contributed to the loss of control and the subsequent impact damage.