What happened
On the morning of 26 October 2025, an Alouette II helicopter, registration ZU-RAL, was performing a private repositioning flight in the Northern Cape province. The flight was traveling from Elandsvagte Farm toward a location near Olifantshoek to facilitate a game capture operation involving aerial darting. The crew consisted of a pilot, a veterinarian, and a veterinary assistant.
While flying over mountainous terrain, the aircraft struck vegetation at the top of a ridge. The impact caused the pilot to lose control, sending the helicopter careering down a ravine where it came to rest on its side. A massive fuel-fed fire erupted upon impact, consuming the majority of the airframe and igniting the surrounding landscape. The pilot and both passengers sustained three fatalities.
The investigation
Investigators from the SACAA AIID examined the wreckage and recovered data from the veterinarian's mobile phone, which utilized a crash detection feature to establish the precise time of the accident. The investigation noted that the aircraft was a Non-Type Certified Aircraft (NTCA).
Physical examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine and main rotor gearbox remained largely intact but were heavily scored, while the aft section of the tail boom had broken away. Evidence of a rotor blade strike on a rock was identified. The investigation also reviewed communications between the pilot and an approved person regarding the use of alternative gear oil for the tail rotor gearbox just two days prior to the accident.
Findings
- The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence, but the Alouette II type was not endorsed on his license, nor did he possess a Game/Cull rating.
- The accident occurred during daylight under visual meteorological conditions with clear skies.
- The post-impact fire was fueled by the aircraft's fuel supply, leading to the destruction of the helicopter and the surrounding veld.
- The remoteness of the site and the intensity of the fire rendered the accident non-survivable.