History of Flight
On 9 October 2009, a private pilot and a passenger departed from Ermelo Airfield in Mpumalanga aboard a Robinson R44 II helicopter, registration ZS-RYT, en route to Springbokfontein Farm. Upon arrival overhead the destination, the pilot determined that landing was not possible due to low cloud and poor visibility. He contacted his wife via cellphone to inform her of the decision to return to Ermelo. At approximately 1730Z, the passenger also called his wife, requesting that she meet them in Ermelo to provide transportation back to the farm.
The helicopter did not arrive at Ermelo. After the occupants were reported missing, police initiated a search and rescue operation. The wreckage was located the following morning by an employee at an adjoining farm. It had crashed at Pampoenkraal Farm (S26° 46’ 51.81” E030° 23’ 23.86”) onto a freshly harvested maize field.
Injuries and Damage
Both the pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident, with debris scattered over an area of approximately 600 m². No other damage occurred.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were influenced by a band of thunderstorm activity stretching from central Botswana to Maputo, covering the accident site. The official weather report for Ermelo (FAEO) at 1730Z indicated surface wind from 170° at 8 knots, temperature 17°C, dew point 9°C, visibility 10 km or more, and cloud broken at 2 500 feet with few 3 500 feet. No weather observations were available at the accident site itself.
Wreckage and Impact
Ground marks indicated that the helicopter impacted the ground at a very steep, nose-down attitude and at high velocity. The engine, located behind the fuselage, broke from its frame on impact and sliced through the fuselage, becoming embedded approximately one metre into the ground. The main rotor was rotating at impact, as evidenced by a blade that dug into the ground. No pre- or post-impact fire occurred.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause to be loss of aircraft control due to lack of outside visual reference (spatial disorientation).