What happened
On the afternoon of 3 February 2026, a Bell 230 helicopter, registered ZT-RPM, was engaged in a type-conversion training flight near Alberton, Gauteng. The flight, operated by Capital Air, was being conducted by a flight instructor and a trainee pilot. After completing an initial successful sortie from Rand Airport, the crew proceeded to the Kromvlei helicopter general flying area for advanced maneuvers.
During the second sortie, the crew was practicing Category A exercises, specifically simulating a single-engine failure. The flight instructor first demonstrated the maneuver at approximately 200 feet above ground level before allowing the trainee pilot to take control. As the pilot attempted to flare the aircraft at roughly 45 knots, the helicopter entered an uncontrolled descent and began spinning to the right. Despite the instructor's attempts to apply power and left anti-torque pedal to recover the aircraft, the helicopter struck the ground heavily on its landing gear. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce and roll to the left, leading the main rotor blades to strike the terrain. A post-impact fire broke out, which was subsequently extinguished by the pilot using a portable extinguisher. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
An investigation by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) established that the aircraft was undergoing Part 141 training. Investigators examined the maintenance history of ZT-RPM, finding that all mandatory inspections, airworthiness directives, and service bulletins were up to date. The investigation also reviewed the flight experience of the crew, noting the instructor held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence with significant experience, while the trainee was in the process of converting to the Bell 230 type.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced an uncontrollable descent and right-hand spin during the flare phase of a simulated engine failure exercise.
- The trainee pilot had accumulated only 1.8 hours on the specific helicopter type at the time of the accident.
- The helicopter sustained substantial damage, including a severed tail boom caused by the main rotor blades striking the ground.
- The impact was severe enough to cause the landing gear to fail and the aircraft to roll.