What happened
On 2 September 2000, a private Robinson R22 helicopter, registration ZS-HUM, was operating in the Belfast district of South Africa. The pilot was engaged in monitoring field fires for family members when the incident occurred. While en route to Carolina, the pilot intended to land alongside a road to facilitate a telephone call. During the approach, the aircraft experienced a loss of rotor RPM, leading to a hard impact on the right skid and a subsequent rollover.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight circumstances and the pilot's actions during the final stages of the approach. The investigation established that the weather conditions at the time were clear, though a wind of 220 degrees at 15 to 25 knots was present. The pilot, who held a valid private pilot license and had 550 total flying hours, reported that he had flown downwind during the maneuver.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was that the pilot allowed the rotor RPM to decay to a level that compromised the controllability of the aircraft.
- The loss of engine/rotor power during the right base to finals turn resulted in a hard landing on the right skid.
- The impact force caused the helicopter to roll over.