What happened
On November 27, 2002, a private flight departing from Pietersburg encountered a critical mechanical issue while en route to a landing zone atop the Blouberg Mountains. While climbing at roughly 60 mph, the pilot of the ENSTROM 280C, registration ZS-HNH, detected intense high-frequency vibrations. In an effort to move away from the rising mountain terrain, the pilot initiated a left turn.
During this maneuver, the pilot noted unusual noises from the engine compartment accompanied by the smell of burning rubber. This was followed by the illumination of a red clutch warning light and a noticeable increase in engine RPM. At an altitude of approximately 300 feet above ground level, the pilot executed an auto-rotational landing on a mountain ledge.
Upon touchdown in an open area, the helicopter skidded about five meters. The impact caused the main rotor blades to sever the tail boom, and the blades subsequently struck a small tree. Despite the significant impact, there were no injuries and no fatalities. After shutting down the engine and electrical systems, the pilot exited the aircraft safely but remained in a remote area without radio or cellular coverage, eventually walking to a location where signal could be reached to request rescue.