What Happened
On 11 May 2022 at approximately 1000Z, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, registration ZS-RKK, departed from a helipad at Kwalata Game Farm in Gauteng province with a pilot and a gunner on board. The purpose of the flight was to capture four blesboks using a net gun. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Regulations.
The pilot, who was also the owner of the helicopter and the game farm, was seated on the right. The gunner, seated behind the pilot, spotted a blesbok. As the pilot flew closer, the animal moved to the right. The pilot banked the helicopter to the right to track it, and at that moment the gunner fired the net gun. One of the net weights struck a main rotor blade.
Findings
The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence with a culling rating endorsement. He had flown 70 hours in the preceding 90 days, including the 15-minute incident flight. The helicopter had two occupants, and weight and balance were within limits. Neither occupant was injured. The helicopter's Certificate of Release to Service and Certificate of Airworthiness were current at the time of the incident.
Damage
Upon landing, a dent was found on the trailing edge of one main rotor blade. The damage was minor, and no vibration was felt during flight.
Probable Cause
The net gun weight struck one of the main rotor blades’ trailing edge and the pilot decided to conduct a successful precautionary landing.