History of Flight
On 17 June 2020, a Bell 206B helicopter with registration ZT-RHC departed Kitty Hawk Airfield (FAKT) in Gauteng province on a private flight to Grand Central Airport (FAGC), also in Gauteng. The flight was intended to deliver the helicopter to an aircraft maintenance organisation for a mandatory periodic inspection. The pilot and one passenger were on board. The flight was uneventful until arrival at FAGC.
A fixed-wing instructor pilot heard the helicopter pilot request clearance to enter the airspace from the east. FAGC tower had closed at 1400Z, and the helicopter pilot was informed. The helicopter pilot stated he would cross Runway 17 and land on the AMO helipad west of the runway. The helicopter crossed the runway, turned left to approach the helipads, and the instructor pilot observed it spiralling upwards, pivoting around the nose, reaching about 100 feet AGL while drifting west towards hangars before disappearing. No emergency radio calls were made.
CCTV footage showed the helicopter approaching the helipads too fast, yawing left, and flying past two sets of helipads. It then yawed further left, completing three full turns while ascending and drifting westward. The footage then showed the helicopter descending nose-down from behind the hangars and impacting New Road with the front of the skids first. A post-impact fire ensued, destroying most of the lower section of the helicopter.
Meteorological Information
The weather at the time included wind from 120° at 17 knots gusting to 24 knots, temperature 6°C, dew point 4°C, visibility 9999 meters, and QNH 1034 hPa.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and the post-impact fire.
Probable Cause
The pilot lost control while flaring the helicopter in preparation for landing, which resulted in an uncontrolled spin. The helicopter drifted westerly toward the hangars before losing lift and impacting the ground.