What happened
On 08 June 2012, a Bell 206 helicopter, registration ZS-HHR, was conducting a transport mission in the Limpopo Province. After departing from Louis Trichardt to Blouberg to collect three radio technicians, the pilot proceeded to a radio mast located near Swartwater. The destination was situated on a hill at an elevation of approximately 3,658 feet.
Upon reaching the site, the pilot attempted to land the aircraft facing into the prevailing wind, which was blowing from 310 degrees at 10 to 15 knots with gusts. While the helicopter initially settled on the ground, a powerful gust of wind caught the nose of the aircraft. Because the landing surface consisted of loose gravel and rocky terrain on a slight downslope, the helicopter began to slide backward. This movement resulted in the aircraft rolling over and tumbling down the mountain slope to a lower ridge, coming to rest on its left side about 8 metres from the initial landing spot.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing at the Swartwater radio mast. The inquiry focused on the interaction between the meteorological conditions and the physical characteristics of the landing site. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including the shattering of the main rotor blades. Despite the severity of the impact sequence, all 4 occupants—the pilot and three passengers—were able to evacuate the wreckage independently. There were 0 fatalities, and the occupants sustained only minor bruises and scratches.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a sudden wind gust that lifted the nose of the helicopter while it was positioned on a downslope.
- The landing site was an unsafe area characterized by uneven, rocky ground and loose gravel.
- The combination of the aircraft's orientation on the slope and the sudden aerodynamic force caused the skids to lose traction, initiating the backward slide and subsequent rollover.