Hard Landing of MBB-BK-117 at Gauteng Police Provincial Office (ZS-HSD)

Accident Overview and Aircraft Details On 20 February 2007, an MBB-BK-117 helicopter with registration ZS-HSD was involved in an accident while conducting an aerial work operation. The flight departed from Johan Coetzee Heliport (Police College) and was intended to land at the Gauteng Police Provincial Office in Johannesburg CBD. The aircraft had accumulated 3,086.9 airframe hours at the time of the incident, with 86.9 hours flown since its last major periodic inspection (MPI) on 7 October 2006. ## Pilot Information and Operational Context The pilot-in-command held a commercial licence and was 28 years old, with a total flying experience of 3,370.9 hours and 178.8 hours on type. The pilot was licensed, medically fit with no restrictions, and qualified for the flight under existing regulations. The pilot reported that the landing zone had been visited more than 10 times previously, including at night. ## Accident Sequence and Damage During the approach to the unlit landing zone from the west, the pilot entered a high hover at 15 feet. The pilot reported that conditions were very dusty, leading to a loss of visual contact with the ground. While descending steadily, the aircraft drifted to the left and back before making contact with the ground, resulting in a hard landing. Damage was sustained on either side of the rubber boots and the cross tube. The AMO that repaired the aircraft reported no damage to the cross tubes and skids, and only replaced the rear undercarriage tubes. ## Meteorological Conditions and Injuries The pilot reported fine weather conditions with a temperature of 28°C. There were 8 people on board (2 crew and 6 passengers), and no injuries or fatalities were reported. The AMO responsible for maintaining the aircraft had been audited in the previous two years with no major findings identified.