What happened
On 15 April 2008, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, registration ZS-RVV, was conducting a private flight near Baltimore in the Limpopo province. While maneuvering at approximately 100 feet above ground level, the pilot observed movement near a wire fence that appeared to be a leopard. In an attempt to investigate the sighting, the pilot initiated a left turn at roughly 40 knots.
During this maneuver, the engine began to run rough before failing completely. Due to the low altitude of the aircraft, the pilot was unable to execute a successful autorotational landing. Upon touching down in an open field, the main rotor blades struck a thorn tree, causing the helicopter to roll onto its right side. The pilot sustained no injuries, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage, including bent rotor blades, a broken windshield, and a damaged right skid.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the engine components to identify the source of the power loss. The engine was transferred to an approved maintenance organization for testing, where it was found to be running satisfactorily with no detectable defects.
Investigators also inspected the fuel system. While the aircraft had approximately 18 litres of aviation fuel remaining in its tanks—a level that could potentially lead to fuel starvation during aggressive maneuvering—no signs of fuel contamination were found. The possibility of carburetor icing was also ruled out, as the aircraft utilizes a fuel-injected engine. The aircraft's maintenance records indicated it had been properly maintained and was considered airworthy prior to the event.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred following a sudden turn at a low altitude.
- The cause of the engine failure could not be determined as all mechanical and fuel-related possibilities were eliminated during testing.
- The pilot was flying at a height too low to permit a controlled autorotation after the loss of power.
- Weather conditions were clear and did not contribute to the incident.