Bell 206B Emergency Landing in South Africa (ZS-HKE)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On 1 March 2001, a Bell 206B helicopter registered ZS-HKE was conducting a private flight from a farm in the Dwaalboom area toward Rand Airport (FAGM). The aircraft carried one pilot and two passengers. The pilot-in-command held a private license and had 240.0 total flying hours, including 109.9 hours on type. ## In-Flight Events During cruise at approximately 6,000 feet above mean sea level, the pilot reported a strange smell resembling an electrical fire. He then observed smoke coming from the overhead electrical and circuit breaker panel. The ENG OUT audio warning sounded and the corresponding warning light illuminated. Fearing an in-flight fire, the pilot switched off the battery and generator switches, closed the throttle, and initiated an autorotational landing in an open field. ## Impact and Aftermath The helicopter impacted the ground at a high rate of descent. The main rotor blades contacted the tail boom, severing it from the aircraft. After the aircraft stopped, the pilot switched off the engine, which was still running. No persons on board were injured or killed. ## Probable Cause and Findings The investigation found no evidence to substantiate the cause or origin of the reported cabin smoke. The report states that the pilot’s actions led to an unnecessary emergency landing because the engine had not failed; it was still running at impact. The engine also suffered foreign object damage from ingested debris. The substantial rate of descent caused the main rotor blades to sever the tail boom and tail rotor drive assembly on impact.