What happened
On the morning of 17 July 2020, an Airbus H120 helicopter, registered ZS-ROP, was conducting a turbine helicopter conversion training flight departing from Cape Town International Aerodrome (FACT). The flight involved a flight instructor, a pilot flying, and two additional passengers, all of whom were pilots.
During the final stages of the flight, the pilot flying was executing a steep approach exercise, descending from 1,000 feet above ground level with the intention of transitioning into a low hover near the threshold of Runway 34. As the aircraft neared the ground, the pilot initiated the recovery maneuver too late. This caused the helicopter to yaw to the left, leading the right skid gear to strike the ground and triggering a dynamic roll-over to the right. Despite the impact, there were no injuries among the four occupants.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and flight data, including CCTV footage from the terminal building and onboard flight video. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft sustained substantial damage, particularly to the tail boom and the main rotor drive train. The separation of the aft gross tube assembly from the fuselage was also noted.
Technical reviews of the aircraft's maintenance history showed the helicopter had undergone a mandatory periodic inspection approximately three weeks prior to the accident. Weight and balance calculations revealed the aircraft was operating within limits, though the center of gravity was positioned very close to the forward limit. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting a significant disparity in flight hours between the instructor and the pilot flying.