What happened
On 3 September 2021, a Eurocopter EC 130 B4 with registration ZS-HOY departed East London Airport for a private flight toward Brown’s Landing in Morgan Bay. The flight, conducted under visual meteorological conditions, proceeded normally until the aircraft reached the vicinity of the Kei River.
While flying at an altitude of approximately 300 feet above mean sea level, the pilot identified a set of power lines crossing the flight path at a level below the aircraft. However, a second set of higher-positioned power lines went unnoticed. As the pilot attempted to avoid the first set of wires by pitching the nose up, the lower portion of the helicopter's tail section struck the higher wires. The pilot managed to complete the flight to the intended destination, where a post-flight inspection revealed minor damage to the fenestron fairing's lower fin. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight parameters and the circumstances surrounding the contact with the infrastructure. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating at a height of approximately 50 feet above ground level (AGL) at the time of the strike. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting that the pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence and was experienced in the local area.
Findings
- The pilot was operating the aircraft at a height of 50ft AGL, which is below the regulatory requirement of 500ft AGL for such operations.
- The pilot identified the lower power lines but failed to detect the higher wires spanning the flight path.
- The collision occurred because the aircraft was flying at a height nearly identical to the elevation of the electrical lines.
- The pilot's attempt at an evasive maneuver (pitching up) actually directed the tail section into the higher obstacle.