Accident Overview
On 10 March 2006 at 1500Z, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, registration ZS-RAT, crashed approximately 100 meters from the helipad at Kloof Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. The helicopter was operated by Delmon Mining and Civils Pty (Ltd) on a private flight. The pilot, a 41-year-old male with a private pilot license and 164.9 total flying hours (158.5 hours on type), had flown from Rand Aerodrome to the hospital to pick up a second passenger. The helicopter was fully fueled with 100 LL Avgas.
After an uneventful landing on the rooftop helipad, the pilot took on a second passenger. Following standard take-off procedures, the pilot established an in-ground effect (IGE) hover over the helipad. As he transitioned to forward flight, the ground effect dissipated, and the helicopter could not maintain altitude. The low main rotor RPM light and audio warning activated. The pilot lowered the collective and overrode the governor in an attempt to gain more power, but the helicopter descended and impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude between trees near the hospital perimeter fence.
Injuries
All three occupants were injured. The front-seat passenger sustained serious injuries, while the pilot and the rear-seated passenger sustained minor injuries. They were admitted to Kloof Hospital for treatment.
Aircraft Damage
The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The cabin and instrument panel were destroyed. The vertical and horizontal stabilizers and the tail rotor assembly separated from the tail boom. The main rotor blades were extensively damaged. No pre- or post-impact fire occurred.
Probable Cause
The pilot over-pitched the helicopter on take-off. It was not possible to sustain flight following a decay in main rotor rpm, and it crashed.