Bell 206B Helicopter Forced Landing in South Africa (ZS-HKF)

Accident Overview and Flight History On 21 May 2014, a Bell 206B helicopter, registration ZS-HKF, operated by Precision Aviation Training Academy, departed Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB) in Gauteng Province for a cross-country training flight to Newcastle Aerodrome (FANC) in KwaZulu-Natal Province. The aircraft was accompanied by two other helicopters, ZS-HBY and ZS-HCJ, flying in loose formation at approximately 600 feet above ground level. The flight was uneventful until approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, when the pilot flying observed a rapid decrease in turbine outlet temperature, followed by an 'ENGINE OUT' warning light. The flight instructor, seated in the left front seat, took control and initiated an autorotational descent toward an open field. A Mayday call was broadcast on VHF 125.80 MHz. The helicopter touched down on uneven terrain, causing the nose to pitch down violently. The main rotor blades severed the tail boom, and the aircraft rotated 45 degrees before coming to rest upright, facing east. The accident site was located 3.5 nautical miles northwest of Kitty Hawk Aerodrome (FAKT) at coordinates 25°49’34.88” South, 028°23’52.44” East, at an elevation of 4,530 feet above mean sea level. No injuries were reported among the two pilots and one passenger on board. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the skid gear, tail boom, and main rotor blades. No other damage was caused.