Accident Details
The accident occurred on 4 October 2000 at 1330Z. The aircraft, a Hughes 269 with registration ZS-HFP, was owned by Alegra Trust and operated as a private flight. The pilot, aged 43, held a valid Private Pilot license with a total of 126 flying hours, all on type. The flight departed from and was intended to land at Elandshoek. Meteorological conditions were fine with an easterly wind of approximately 10 knots and a temperature of 30°C. One person was on board; no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's statement, he was practicing autorotations during the flight. During these maneuvers, he allowed the rotor rpm to decay due to excessive collective input. This decay progressed to a point where the pilot could no longer maintain control of the helicopter. The aircraft subsequently experienced a hard landing, followed by a roll-over.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the accident report, is that the pilot allowed the rotor rpm to decay to a point where he was unable to arrest the rapid descent.