What happened
On the morning of 30 August 2009, a Sanka AK 1-3 helicopter, registration ZU-RIT, was conducting a private flight from Klaserie in Limpopo Province toward Rhenosterkop in Mpumalanga. At 0711Z, the pilot successfully contacted the Kruger Mpumalanga International tower to request routing. However, by 0726Z, the tower was unable to re-establish contact with the aircraft.
Shortly thereafter, at approximately 0728Z, reports emerged of a crash and subsequent fire in the Heidelberg valley, near White River. An eyewitness observed the helicopter approaching from the north, noting that the engine RPM appeared to be surging. The witness then observed the main rotor speed decreasing and the aircraft descending rapidly before striking the ground at a high rate of descent. The impact and resulting fire resulted in 3 fatalities, including the pilot and two young passengers.
The investigation
The SACAA AIID investigation was significantly hampered by the intensity of the post-impact fire, which largely destroyed the wreckage and prevented the testing of the governor system and fuel components. While the engine was recovered and examined by technicians, no internal mechanical failures were identified within the Subaru engine itself.
Investigators focused on the aircraft's equipment, specifically a cruise control governor. Evidence showed that the manufacturer, Aerocopter Ltd, had previously issued a notice in January 2009 prohibiting the use of this specific governor system on this aircraft type following a similar accident involving registration ZU-ETU. Despite this directive, the system remained installed on ZU-RIT.