Helicopter collision with telephone wires near Virginia Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • Approximately 25km North West of Virginia Aerodrome, ZA

A training flight in a Robinson R22 Beta II ended in a crash after the aircraft struck overhead wires during an unauthorized descent.

What happened

On 10 January 2006, a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter, registration ZS-RLC, was conducting a solo training flight as part of a pilot's progression toward a commercial license. The flight departed from Virginia Aerodrome (FAVG) under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for a routine mission within the general flying area.

While transitioning into the general flying area, the pilot began descending to a lower altitude earlier than the prescribed briefing required. During this descent, after passing a specific bridge landmark, the pilot observed a black wire spanning the flight path approaching rapidly. Despite an attempt to increase power to avoid the obstacle, the helicopter's skids struck the telephone wires. The impact caused the aircraft to overturn uncontrollably, resulting in a crash. There were no injuries to the pilot.

The investigation

Investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the descent. The investigation established that the impact with the wires caused significant structural failure. The main rotor blades severed the tailboom, the tail rotor blades, and the tail rotor drive shaft, which were found scattered near the primary wreckage. The cabin plexiglass also sustained damage.

Technical records showed the aircraft had undergone its last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) on 05 December 2005, with only 22.3 hours flown since that inspection. The training organization involved had also been subject to recent audits with no major discrepancies noted.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the accident was the helicopter colliding with telephone wires during a descent. This was contributed to by the pilot's failure to maintain an effective lookout and a failure to adhere to established altitude landmarks, resulting in a descent that was too low and too early.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2006-01-10 Robinson R22 Beta II accident near Approximately 25km North West of Virginia Aerodrome, ZA?

A training flight in a Robinson R22 Beta II ended in a crash after the aircraft struck overhead wires during an unauthorized descent.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2006-01-10 involved a Robinson R22 Beta II, registration ZS-RLC, at Approximately 25km North West of Virginia Aerodrome, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the accident was the helicopter colliding with telephone wires during a descent. This was contributed to by the pilot's failure to maintain an effective lookout and a failure to adhere to established altitude landmarks, resulting in a descent that was too low and too early.

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