Accident Overview
On 15 August 2000, at 1140Z, a Bell 206B helicopter registered ZS-RCV was on a routine crime prevention patrol near Grand Central Airport. The crew consisted of a commercial pilot, a peace officer, and one passenger. The flight's last point of departure was Grand Central Airport, with the next point of intended landing at Midrand Fire Station.
Flight and Incident
The operation was part of the Midrand Metropolitan Substructure. While patrolling, the crew received a distress call over the crisis control radio reporting that an ambulance crew was being stoned in Tembisa. The helicopter crew informed the crisis control operator that they would proceed directly to the area to assist. Upon arrival overhead, a crowd of several hundred people was observed. A message indicated that a child had been stabbed, but the child's location was unknown. The peace officer requested the pilot to descend for better visibility. As the helicopter descended to approximately 250 feet above ground level, the pilot felt a harsh vibration from the tail rotor, followed by a partial loss of tail rotor thrust.
Emergency Landing
The pilot informed the occupants of the problem and immediately executed an emergency landing with substantially reduced power in an adjacent field. Post-landing inspection revealed damage to the tail rotor. No injuries were sustained by any of the occupants.
Damage Assessment
Examination of the tail rotor showed that one blade (Serial No. CS 4488) had sustained extensive damage during flight.