What happened
On 10 February 2007, a Bell 206 B helicopter, registration ZS-HDW, was returning to Rand Aerodrome following a private flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and four passengers. While awaiting landing instructions and positioned to the west of Runway 17/35, the pilot maintained a hover in an easterly heading. During this period, the helicopter suddenly began yawing to the right. Despite the pilot's attempts to apply corrective pedal, the yaw intensified into an uncontrollable spin. The tail rotor struck the ground, causing the aft portion of the tail boom to separate from the airframe. The helicopter came to rest upright on its skids. There were no injuries among the five people on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's credentials, and the environmental factors present during the hover. The aircraft was found to be within its weight and center of gravity limits, and all maintenance records indicated the Bell 206 B was airworthy and properly maintained. Physical inspection of the wreckage by Bell Helicopter representatives confirmed that the tail rotor blades had struck the ground and the tail boom, leading to the separation of the tail boom and fractures in the driveshaft. The investigation also analyzed the meteorological conditions, noting a 12-knot wind from the north.