What happened
On the morning of 25 December 2014, a Robinson R44 Raven II, registration ZS-MEX, was performing a repositioning flight from Lebala Game Lodge in Limpopo to Grand Central aerodrome in Gauteng. The flight followed a successful charter mission earlier that day.
After completing the initial flight and offloading a passenger, the pilot prepared the aircraft for the return leg. During the takeoff phase, the helicopter reached an altitude of approximately two meters above the ground. While hovering for departure, the right-hand side door of the aircraft swung open. In an attempt to secure the door while still at a low altitude, the pilot inadvertently applied backward pressure on the cyclic control. This caused the aircraft's nose to pitch up abruptly, leading to a tail strike against the ground.
Following the impact, the pilot increased power and climbed to 50 feet to successfully close the door before continuing the flight to Grand Central. Upon landing, a post-flight inspection revealed damage to the lower vertical stabilizer and the tail rotor guard. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical systems, including the hydraulic servos and flight controls, finding no technical malfunctions. The investigation confirmed that the cyclic and collective controls were functioning correctly and that the aircraft doors were capable of latching properly.
Review of the pilot's credentials showed a valid commercial license with the appropriate type ratings and no history of previous incidents. Meteorological data indicated that weather conditions were clear with good visibility, meaning environmental factors did not contribute to the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's diverted attention while attempting to manage the unsecured door at a low altitude.
- The pilot's attempt to close the door resulted in the unintended backward tilting of the cyclic control, which induced the nose-up pitch and subsequent tail strike.
- A contributing factor was identified as poor airmanship, specifically an inadequate pre-flight check that failed to ensure the door was properly latched before departure.