What happened
On 17 June 2020, a Bell 206B helicopter, registration ZT-RHC, was performing a private flight from Kitty Hawk Airfield to Grand Central Airport in Gauteng. The mission was to deliver the aircraft to a maintenance facility for a mandatory periodic inspection.
As the pilot approached the airport's maintenance area, the aircraft was subjected to significant wind conditions, recorded at 17 knots with gusts up and reaching 24 knots. While attempting to land on the helipad, the helicopter began to yaw to the left. CCTV footage captured the aircraft overshooting the intended landing spot and entering an uncontrolled spin, completing several rotations while ascending and drifting toward nearby hangars. The helicopter eventually descended in a nose-down attitude, striking New Road. The impact, which occurred with the front of the skids, was followed by a post-impact fire fueled by leaking Jet A1 fuel. The crash resulted in 2 fatalities.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators analyzed CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and meteorological data to reconstruct the flight path. The investigation examined the aircraft's airworthiness, noting that the Bell 206B was well-maintained and had no recorded mechanical defects prior to the accident.
Investigators also reviewed the regulatory status of the flight. It was discovered that the special flight permits required for the aircraft to fly during the COVID-19 lockdown period had expired on 15 June 2020. Furthermore, the presence of a passenger on this specific flight was not permitted under the restrictions of the expired permits, which only allowed for essential crew.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the pilot lost control of the aircraft during the flare maneuver while preparing to land, triggering an uncontrolled spin.
- Wind gusts of 24 knots acted as a major contributing factor, as these conditions exceeded the maximum certified wind limit of 17 knots for this helicopter type.
- The pilot likely failed to apply sufficient right pedal to counteract the left crosswind during changes in collective pitch.
- Turbulence near the hangars likely hindered the pilot's ability to recover directional control.