History of Flight
On Saturday, 28 July 2007 at 1400Z, a student pilot, the sole occupant of a Robinson R22 helicopter (registration ZS-RRF), departed Kimberley Aerodrome (FAKM) on a solo training flight to the Kimberley General Flying Area (KGFA). The aircraft failed to return, and at 1625Z the training school notified Kimberley Air Traffic Control and the South African Police Services (SAPS) that the aircraft was missing. SAPS reported that a helicopter had crashed in the Riverton area after impacting high-tension electrical wires and submerging in the Vaal River.
The wreckage was located in the Vaal River at coordinates S28°30.761 E024°40.962, elevation 3332 feet, approximately 40 km north of Kimberley Aerodrome. The helicopter was recovered from the river on 30 July 2008 and sent to an approved maintenance organisation for investigation. The pilot's body was recovered on the morning of 13 August 2008 at 0500Z by SAPS divers.
Injuries and Damage
According to the accident report, the pilot sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was destroyed during the impact sequence with the high-tension wires and the water. The electrical cables failed and had to be replaced. The right-hand fuel tank ruptured during impact, contaminating the river with fuel.
Wreckage and Impact Details
The helicopter impacted the electrical wires, which were approximately 10–12 metres high, in a straight and level attitude with its main rotor mast. It then flipped over the wires, severing the tail boom. The aircraft subsequently struck the water on its starboard side before submerging. The airframe was badly wrinkled, including the firewall and engine thrust mountings, which failed and bent. The helicopter came to rest on its starboard side at the bottom of the river, which was about 4 metres deep.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 37, held a Student Pilot Licence (Helicopters) issued on 19 July 2007, with endorsements for the Robinson R22 and R44. His total flying experience was 73.0 hours, including 38.7 hours on the Robinson R22. He had flown 6.3 hours on the day of the accident prior to the crash, including solo exercises and dual training. His most recent medical certificate (Class 2) was issued on 4 January 2007, with an expiry date of 31 January 2009.
Aircraft Information
The Robinson R22 (serial number 3476) was manufactured in 2003 and had a total airframe time of 1031.0 hours at the time of the accident. The last MPI was performed on 20 July 2007 at 994.5 hours. The engine, a Textron-Lycoming O-360-J2A (serial L-39147-36A), had 1031.0 hours since new and had not reached TBO. The helicopter was equipped with standard navigation and communication aids with no reported failures.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the accident, weather conditions reported by the South African Weather Services included: wind 300° at 5 knots, temperature 11°C, visibility 10 km, no cloud cover. A METAR from Kimberley Aerodrome at 1500Z indicated wind 290° at 6 knots, CAVOK.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The probable cause of the accident was the collision of the aircraft with power lines and subsequent crash into the Vaal River. Contributing factors were that the aircraft was flown at a low altitude and the pilot failed to see and identify the hazard while flying low.