What happened
On 10 April 2007, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registration ZS-RTA, departed from Virginia Aerodrome in the KwaZulu-Natal province for a scheduled training session. The flight, which was authorized for the purpose of practicing autorotational maneuvers, included a commercial pilot and a student pilot.
While operating in the La Mercy area, north of Durban, the crew performed an autorotation exercise. During the maneuver, the student pilot initiated the recovery process with insufficient timing. The instructor was unable to intervene effectively before the aircraft struck the ground. The force of the impact caused the tail boom to separate from the fuselage, and the subsequent impact triggered a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the weather conditions at the time of the accident were fine. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid commercial license and the necessary medical certification. Furthermore, the aircraft was found to have been properly maintained and was equipped with all standard communication and navigation equipment required for its type.
Investigators examined the sequence of the maneuver and determined that the aircraft's destruction was a result of the impact and the ensuing fire. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not required by regulation to carry flight data recorders.