History of Flight
On 2 December 2015, at approximately 0329Z, a Robinson R44 Raven II (registration ZS-SDJ) departed from Farm Uitenpas near Musina, Limpopo province, on a private flight to Farm Ehrenbreitstein, about 20 nautical miles southwest. Before departure, three of the four doors had been removed and two 25-litre containers of Avgas were loaded in the cabin. Shortly after becoming airborne, the pilot flew over the town and executed a left turn.
A witness standing outside his house, approximately 1 nautical mile south of the helipad, observed the helicopter flying low in a south-easterly direction. As it approached his property, the engine pitch suddenly changed as if losing power, and the helicopter immediately pitched nose-down. The witness lost sight of it behind trees, then ran toward the accident scene and contacted one of the helicopter owners by cellphone. The owner notified emergency services.
At the scene, the pilot was found lying on a sand embankment about 20 metres from the point of impact, seriously injured. The helicopter owner arrived and informed the witness that another person was on board. Emergency personnel later located the passenger's body underneath the main wreckage. The pilot succumbed to his injuries shortly after the accident.
Injuries
The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. No other injuries were reported.
Damage to Aircraft
The helicopter was destroyed during the impact sequence. No other damage was caused.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause to be an unsuccessful forced landing following an undetermined loss of engine power shortly after take-off.