Bell 407 Rotor Strike During Confined Landing at Komatipoort (ZS-RHK)

Accident Overview and Aircraft Details On 4 September 2000 at 1400Z, a Bell 407 helicopter with registration ZS-RHK was involved in an accident during a commercial operation. The aircraft was operated by Eskom - Sapphire Executive Air. The pilot-in-command held a commercial licence and had 11,804.9 total flying hours, including 1,196.7 hours on type. The flight departed from the Komatipoort Area and was intended to land at Komatipoort Sub Station. ## Operational Context and Sequence of Events The helicopter was conducting a confined area landing at the Komatipoort Sub Station. During the approach, the pilot requested the passenger seated in the left-hand front seat to assist with lookout and clearance of obstacles on the left-hand side of the helicopter. On touchdown, the pilot lowered the collective pitch lever, and the main rotor blades struck a transformer unit positioned in the seven-to-eight o'clock position relative to the pilot. ## Damage and Injuries The main rotor blades were extensively damaged. Debris from the impact also damaged one of the tail rotor blades and created a hole through the horizontal stabilizer (fin). The transformer unit was extensively damaged. There were two people on board, and no injuries or fatalities were reported. ## Probable Cause The accident was attributed to inadequate main rotor blade clearance on the left-hand side of the helicopter, which caused the main rotor blades to strike the transformer unit on touchdown.