Accident Overview
On 22 September 2014, at approximately 1000Z, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, registration ZS-RUU, crashed in an open field in the Himeville area, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. The helicopter was engaged in a commercial alien vegetation survey flight and was destroyed by the post-impact fire. Both occupants—the pilot and a passenger—sustained fatal injuries.
History of Flight
The helicopter departed from Pennygum Country Cottages near Underberg and intended to return there after surveying several pre-determined points. At about 0955Z, contractors working in the area observed the helicopter flying. Minutes later, they heard a loud bang, saw black smoke, and heard an explosion. They proceeded to the source and found the wreckage; due to intense fire, they could not assist the occupants. Medical assistance was called, but the occupants succumbed to their injuries before help arrived.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The helicopter, a Robinson R44 Raven II (serial number 10619, year of manufacture 2005), was owned and operated by E'Scape Airtours Charters and Transfers CC. It had a total airframe time of 2367.8 hours and a Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 engine. The last mandatory periodic inspection was on 1 September 2014. The pilot, a 23-year-old South African male, held a commercial pilot license with a valid medical certificate and had 1146.6 total flying hours, including 928.7 hours on type. The passenger was an employee of the Agricultural Research Council, the entity that hired the helicopter for the survey.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, wind was 040° at 4 knots, visibility 10,000 meters, temperature 24°C, dew point 9°C, with no cloud cover and no cloud base. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions during daylight.
Wreckage and Impact
The helicopter impacted the ground at GPS coordinates S 29°51'54.8" E 029°38'40.9" at an elevation of 4461 feet AMSL. The terrain had an upslope, and impact marks indicated the helicopter was in a level attitude upon impact. The tail boom was found approximately 100 meters from the main wreckage, with yellow paint marks at the severance point. Both main rotor blades remained attached to the rotor head; one blade was intact with impact damage, and the other was severed halfway. The cabin and fuselage were destroyed by fire. The fuel tank was separated and empty. No airframe parts were missing.
Probable Cause
The helicopter’s tail boom was severed/cut off by the main rotor blades during an evasive action to prevent a collision with electrical power lines. As a result, the helicopter collided with the ground.
Additional Information
According to the report, electrical high tension wires spanned the valley where the accident occurred. The precise height of the wires and the flight altitude were not determined, but it appeared the pilot was flying at an insufficient height to clear the wires.