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Robinson R44 Raven II Accident at Farm Hollandsdrift (ZS-JRS)

Farm Hollandsdrift 14 nm southwest of PAPI, ZA

On July 20, 2011, a Robinson R44 Raven II (registration ZS-JRS) was involved in an aviation accident near Farm Hollandsdrift 14 nm southwest of PAPI, ZA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Unsuccessful forced landing following an engine failure in flight, which was attributed to contaminated fuel that was uplifted most probably while refuelling from an unsealed drum. This summary draws on records from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division.

Sourcesthe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations DivisionPrimary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

On 20 July 2011, a Robinson R44 Raven II (ZS-JRS) crashed at Farm Hollandsdrift after an engine failure during a private flight. The pilot was injured but survived.

Accident Overview and Location details. The accident occurred on 20 July 2011 at 1400Z at Farm Hollandsdrift, located 14 nautical miles southwest of Pietersburg Aerodrome (FAPI) in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The GPS coordinates of the site were South 24°00.407’ East 029°14.282’ at an elevation of approximately 4,500 feet above mean sea level. The terrain consisted of bush with a very uneven surface due to ground erosion. The helicopter came to rest on its left-hand side after skidding on its side for some distance. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped unassisted and walked to a nearby farmhouse. He was taken to a medical facility in Polokwane and was found to have broken several ribs on his left side, a laceration to his left hand requiring stitches, a cut to his right lower leg, and cuts and bruises to his face and arms from shattered plexi-glass windscreens. The helicopter sustained extensive damage, and minor damage was caused to the vegetation.

Probable cause

Unsuccessful forced landing following an engine failure in flight, which was attributed to contaminated fuel that was uplifted most probably while refuelling from an unsealed drum.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Jul 2011 Robinson R44 Raven II accident near Farm Hollandsdrift 14 nm southwest of PAPI, ZA?

On 20 July 2011, a Robinson R44 Raven II (ZS-JRS) crashed at Farm Hollandsdrift after an engine failure during a private flight. The pilot was injured but survived.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Jul 2011 Robinson R44 Raven II accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Jul 2011 involved a Robinson R44 Raven II, registration ZS-JRS, at Farm Hollandsdrift 14 nm southwest of PAPI, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Unsuccessful forced landing following an engine failure in flight, which was attributed to contaminated fuel that was uplifted most probably while refuelling from an unsealed drum.

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