What happened
On 4 May 2018, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, registration ZS-RBJ, departed from a farm near Bultfontein in the Free State for a private flight intended to view game. Shortly after takeoff, while the aircraft was climbing through approximately 100 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a sudden change in noise and ceased operation.
The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, was forced to execute an emergency landing on nearby flat terrain. The resulting impact with the ground was severe, causing extensive damage to the aircraft. Despite the force of the landing, there were no injuries to the two occupants on board.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the circumstances leading to the engine stoppage. The aircraft had been refueled prior to departure using approximately 40 litres of Avgas LL100 drawn from a 53-gallon drum. While the engine itself showed no signs of mechanical failure during inspection, investigators discovered water within the fuel lines during the engine removal process.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unsuccessful forced landing following an engine stoppage.
- The engine failure was directly attributed to fuel contamination.
- The pilot's pre-flight inspection failed to identify the presence of water in the fuel system.
- The weather conditions at the time of the accident were clear with good visibility and had no impact on the event.
Safety action
- Pilots operating from remote or off-site locations must verify that all fuel sources are clean and meet all necessary safety requirements to prevent contamination.