What happened
On 19 August 2012, a private flight involving a EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3, registered ZS-HIW, was attempting to land at a private landing site in the Bucklands area of the Northern Cape. The flight, which included the pilot and her husband, was returning to their point of departure. During the landing sequence, the pilot encountered difficulties, prompting the second occupant—a qualified pilot on the same type—to offer assistance by taking control of the aircraft.
As the transition of control occurred, the helicopter underwent a violent 180-degree yaw. In an effort to regain altitude and fly away from the landing area, the pilot in control applied increased power. This application of power triggered a sudden leftward yaw. The aircraft entered a series of 360-degree rotations to the left, eventually striking a house and subsequently a hangar. The helicopter came to a final rest on the side of the hangar. The impact resulted in two injuries, with one person sustaining serious injuries and the other minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight conditions and the sequence of events leading to the impact. At the time of the accident, the weather was characterized by strong winds, with a wind speed of 26 knots from the 020-degree direction. The investigation focused on the mechanical and human factors involved during the critical moment of pilot hand-over and the subsequent flight maneuvers.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the impact with a building during a landing attempt conducted in high-wind conditions.
- The application of power during the recovery attempt led to incorrect flight control inputs, which contributed to the loss of directional control.