Robinson R44 Astro Forced Landing in South Africa (ZS-RHY)

Incident Overview and Location details on 3 November 2018, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Astro, registration ZS-RHY, was involved in an accident near Witbank, South Africa. The aircraft was conducting a private Part 91 operation when it made an unsuccessful forced landing on rocky terrain at a private farm. The accident site was located at GPS coordinates 25°47.718’ South, 029°20.174’ East, at an elevation of 4,895 feet above mean sea level. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, but none of the four occupants on board were injured. The pilot and three passengers, including a four-year-old child, were properly restrained during the flight, which contributed to the survivability of the accident.