2014 Robinson R44 II Accident in Limpopo (ZS-RRL)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On 14 October 2014, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, registration ZS-RRL, departed from a private farm in Limpopo, South Africa, at approximately 0430Z. The aircraft was operating under private Part 91 rules on a local flight to another private farm in the same province. The pilot, a 52-year-old male with a valid private helicopter licence, was the sole occupant. Shortly after take-off, while flying in an easterly direction, the main rotor blade struck a tree in bushy terrain approximately 500 metres from the departure point. The impact caused the rotor blade to fracture near the rotor head transmission assembly. The helicopter then rolled over onto its left side while the main rotor was still spinning, and a post-impact fire destroyed the main wreckage. The pilot was fatally injured by the impact forces and the subsequent fire.