Factual Information
History of Flight
On the morning of 17 January 2006, a student pilot was scheduled to perform a solo navigation flight in a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter, registration ZS-RXA. Prior to takeoff, the chief flight instructor briefed the pilot on the intended route and marked it on a map. The planned route was a 'half' peninsula flight: depart Cape Town International Aerodrome (FACT) to the V&A Waterfront/Table Bay area, then along the Atlantic seaboard to Hout Bay at 2,000 ft AGL, then east of Chapman's Peak to Fishhoek, Muizenberg, and back to FACT.
At approximately 0730Z, the student pilot departed. Another student pilot from the same school, flying a Robinson R22 (ZS-RUX), was asked by the instructor to fly ahead in loose line astern formation and assist with radio transmissions. The two helicopters took off with separation. According to the lead pilot, he received no radio response from ZS-RXA during the flight.
Contrary to the briefed route, both helicopters proceeded along the coast from Noordhoek around Cape Point. As they passed Cape Point, abeam Rooikrans, a hiking party observed the trailing helicopter (ZS-RXA) suddenly nose dive and crash into the sea approximately 800 m offshore. No unusual noises, smoke, or explosion were noted. The hiking party notified the local fire station, which contacted Cape Town ATC. The lead helicopter continued its flight, unaware of the accident.
An EMS helicopter was dispatched but found only minor debris on the water; no survivors were observed. The accident location (S34°20.465 E018° 28.991) was not included in the intended routing.
Injuries to Persons
| Injuries | Pilot | Crew | Pass. | Other | |----------|-------|------|-------|-------| | Fatal | 1 | - | - | - | | Serious | - | - | - | - | | Minor | - | - | - | - | | None | - | - | - | - |
Damage to Aircraft
The helicopter was destroyed during the impact and subsequent submersion. Minor environmental damage occurred from fuel leakage.
Personnel Information
The pilot was a 41-year-old South African male, holding a valid student pilot licence. He had 37.8 total flying hours, all on type. A medical examination on 11 October 2005 revealed elevated cholesterol, for which Lipitor was prescribed. The pilot's wife reported that he had fainted at home in October 2005 and was taken to a hospital, where tests suggested a possible mild heart attack, but no definitive diagnosis was made.
Probable Cause
The pilot most probably suffered from a cardiovascular event in-flight, which resulted in incapacitation in the air, rendering the helicopter uncontrollable with water impact inevitable.