What happened
On 7 June 2002, a Hughes 269C helicopter, registration ZS-HEP, was conducting a game capture operation within the Borokalalo Game Reserve near Rustenburg. While flying at an altitude of roughly 150 feet, the pilot initiated a sharp turn to the right. During this maneuver, the engine began to misfire, which induced intense vibrations throughout the airframe.
As the engine continued to operate poorly, the pilot attempted a precautionary landing. While maneuvering into the wind, the engine appeared to lose power entirely. The pilot attempted a forced landing in an area of dense vegetation; however, the main rotor blades struck nearby trees, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. There were no injuries to the pilot during the incident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the mechanical state of the engine following the accident. During subsequent bench testing, technicians were unable to identify any specific mechanical malfunction that would account for the engine failure. While the engine's performance during the test was normal, the investigation considered the possibility of external factors affecting the fuel supply.