What happened
On 2 December 2015, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, registration ZS-SDJ, departed from a farm near Musina, Limpopo, for a short private flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger, with three of the four cabin doors removed and two 25-litre containers of Avgas on board.
Shortly after takeoff, while flying at a low altitude, the aircraft experienced a sudden change in engine pitch, indicating a loss of power. The helicopter immediately pitched nose-down. An eyewitness observed the aircraft flying very low before it disappeared behind trees and struck a shooting range. The impact was severe, destroying the aircraft. The pilot was thrown from the cockpit and died from serious injuries, while the passenger was found trapped beneath the wreckage and also perished.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the engine components to determine the cause of the power loss. A detailed teardown of the Lycoming engine revealed no mechanical failures, such as issues with the fuel system, magnetos, or internal components, that would have prevented normal operation. The investigation also noted that the pilot was flying at such a low altitude that there was insufficient room to manage the emergency. Additionally, the investigation identified an elevated irrigation system at the crash site that was difficult to see, which likely complicated the pilot's attempt at a forced landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unsuccessful forced landing following an undetermined loss of engine power immediately after takeoff.
- The low altitude at the time of the engine failure prevented the pilot from being able to lower the collective pitch to recover the main rotor RPM.
- The pilot's attempt to clear an elevated irrigation structure was hindered because the structure blended into the surrounding environment, making the hazard difficult to detect until the aircraft was in close proximity.