What happened
On the morning of 5 August 2025, a serious incident occurred at Virginia Airport (FAVG) in KwaZulu-Natal involving two aircraft operating in visual meteorological conditions. A Robinson R44 helicopter, registration ZS-RMU, was conducting a scenic flight with one pilot and two passengers. Simultaneously, a Sling 2 aircraft, registration ZU-STF, was performing flight training exercises, specifically take-off and landing circuits.
As the ZS-RMU was flying at approximately 500 feet, the pilot spotted the ZU-STF approaching from the 11 o’clock position. The fixed-wing aircraft appeared to be only 20 to 30 meters away and was descending on a heading that would have taken it beneath the helicopter's 5 o’clock position. To prevent a mid-air collision, the helicopter pilot executed an immediate avoidance maneuver by climbing to 530 feet, successfully establishing separation.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that both aircraft were operating within the airport traffic circuit. At the time of the event, four aircraft were in the circuit. While the air traffic controller (ATC) had implemented reduced separation procedures—permissible under visual flight rules when aircraft are visible to each other—the investigation looked into the specific positioning of the involved aircraft.
Records show that the ZU-STF pilot had reported their position on the downwind leg of Runway 05, noting they could see the helicopter. However, the investigation found that the near miss occurred as the ZU-STF was turning from the base leg to final approach. Both aircraft were at an altitude of 500 feet, with a horizontal separation of roughly 20 to 30 meters.
Findings
- The ZS-RMU pilot maintained a valid commercial helicopter license and was performing a scheduled scenic flight.
- The ZU-STF pilot held a valid private pilot license and was conducting circuit exercises.
- Both aircraft were in a good state of airworthiness with no reported mechanical or communication defects.
- Weather conditions were clear and did not contribute to the incident.
- The primary cause of the near miss was the lack of situational awareness and failure to look out by the ZU-STF crew, who had overtaken other aircraft in the circuit sequence.