What happened
On 13 May 2013, a Robinson R44, registration ZS-RKZ, was conducting a game capture operation in the Limpopo province. The flight began in Vaalwater with an intended destination of Musina. After approximately 2.8 hours of flight time, the pilot stopped at Alldays to refuel the aircraft using a drum. During this process, the pilot used a pump to fill the auxiliary tanks to roughly three-quarters capacity, while the main tank was approximately one-quarter full.
Shortly after departing Alldays, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to perform a forced landing; however, the maneuver was unsuccessful. During the descent, the main rotor blades struck the tail boom of the aircraft before it came to a halt on a private farm between Alldally and Musina. The pilot escaped the wreckage with no injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the refueling stop. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid commercial license and medical certificate, and that the aircraft was properly maintained with a valid certificate of airworthiness. Meteorological data indicated that weather conditions were clear with good visibility and no significant wind, ruling out environmental factors as a cause.
Upon inspecting the aircraft following its recovery, investigators identified substantial damage to the tail boom, the main rotor, and the tail rotor. A critical discovery was made during the analysis of a fuel sample, which revealed a significant amount of water.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unsuccessful forced landing following an engine failure.
- The engine failure was caused by fuel contamination.
- The pilot was properly rated and the aircraft was in a state of airworthiness at the time of the incident.