What happened
On November 29, 2001, at approximately 15:10Z, a private helicopter was involved in a fatal accident in the industrial area of Brits, South Africa. The aircraft, a ZS-RBW ENSROM F28C-2, was initially parked at a helipad located on the northern side of a factory. Due to approaching thunderstorms moving in from the northwest, the pilot attempted to relocate the aircraft to a covered area situated at the front of the factory.
During this short repositioning maneuver, the aircraft's main rotor mast struck telephone wires that were strung alongside the road. This impact caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, leading to a subsequent crash into a gate security cubicle and the ground.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the repositioning flight and the environmental conditions at the time. Investigators established that the pilot was attempting to protect the aircraft from incoming inclement weather. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft struck overhead utility lines, which directly led to the loss of control and the final impact with the security structure and the earth.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision between the main rotor mast and telephone wires spanning the roadway.
- The impact with the wires resulted in the pilot losing control of the ZS-REB.
- The aircraft subsequently struck a security cubicle and the ground.
- Weather conditions involved building thunderstorms in the northern region, which prompted the decision to move the aircraft.
Safety action
Following the accident, the pilot sustained injuries that required an emergency airlift to Milpark Hospital; however, the pilot succumbed to their injuries eight days after the occurrence.