What happened
On 7 December 2013, a Robinson R66 helicopter, registration ZS-ROO, was conducting a private flight from Port Shepstone Aerodrome to a farm near Middleburg, Eastern Cape. While flying over the destination farm, the pilot noticed that the fuel levels were approaching the minimum threshold. To prevent an engine flameout, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing.
During the final approach, the aircraft's rotor mast fairing struck 12-meter-high Eskom power lines. The impact caused an immediate loss of hydraulic control. Despite the damage, the pilot managed to maintain enough control to guide the helicopter into a nearby bush area, approximately 30 metres from the wires. The pilot escaped the incident with no injuries.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the collision. The inquiry reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records, finding that the Robinson R66 had only 29.34 total airframe hours and was maintained according to all required schedules.
Regarding fuel levels, the investigation confirmed that although the pilot initiated a precautionary landing, the aircraft still had sufficient fuel for the maneuver. Post-incident checks revealed 56 litres of fuel remained, of which 53 litres were usable. The investigation also noted that weather conditions were clear with good visibility (CAVOK) and light winds.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the collision between the aircraft and the power lines during a precautionary landing.
- A significant contributing factor was pilot complacency, as the pilot had been landing at this specific location for over 20 years and failed to maintain an adequate lookout for the overhead wires.