What happened
On 13 July 2012, a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter, registration ZS-RLY, was performing a local private flight at Grand Central Aerodrome in Gauteng Province. While the pilot was hovering at a low altitude to land on a grass area, the aircraft encountered a sudden gust of wind from the left. In an attempt to compensate for the wind and turn the aircraft into the wind, the pilot applied full left rudder pedal. This maneuver, combined with the wind gust, caused the left-hand skid to strike the ground.
Following the initial contact, the helicopter began to oscillate vertically and pitch excessively. This instability progressed into a dynamic rollover, during which the main rotor blade struck the ground. The aircraft eventually came to rest on its left side. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries, with the pilot being treated for a concussion and the passenger for shock. The helicopter suffered substantial damage to its fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor, and the left skid was broken off during the impact.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the flight history, maintenance records, and environmental conditions. The inquiry established that the aircraft was properly maintained, with a recent mandatory periodic inspection completed shortly before the event. The aircraft's weight was within safe operating limits, and all necessary certifications, including the Certificate of Airworthiness and the pilot's licenses, were valid.
Investigators also reviewed the meteorological data, noting that while a wind gust triggered the event, the overall weather conditions were fine and not considered a contributory factor. The investigation also looked into the mechanics of the loss of control, specifically examining the phenomenon of Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE), which can occur during low-speed maneuvers or specific wind azimuths.