Accident Details
On 19 August 2012, a Eurocopter AS 350 B3, registration ZS-HIW, was involved in an accident at Portion 201, Bucklands, Douglas area, Northern Cape province. The private flight departed from and intended to land at the same private helicopter landing area. The pilot, aged 53, held a valid Private (H) license and had 197.5 total flying hours, with 19.5 hours on type. The other occupant was her husband, also a qualified pilot on the type. Weather conditions at the time included wind from 020° at 26 knots, visibility 10 km, temperature 21°C, dew point 4°C, and CAVOK cloud cover.
Sequence of Events
The flight took off at approximately 0800Z. Upon return, during the attempted landing, the pilot experienced difficulty. Her husband requested to assist with the landing. During the hand-over of controls, the helicopter violently yawed through 180 degrees. The male occupant, now in control, applied more power to gain height. During power application, the helicopter began yawing to the left (anti-clockwise). It completed several 360-degree rotations before impacting a house and then a hangar. The helicopter came to rest on the right-hand side of the hangar.
Injuries and Damage
One occupant sustained serious injuries; the other sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was destroyed.
Probable Cause
The probable cause was impact with an obstruction (building) during an attempt to land in strong wind conditions. A contributory factor was incorrect flight control inputs during power application.