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Spitskop quarry dam near Sabie, Mpumalanga -
South Africa
Phase:
Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:
Fire fighting
Departure airport:
FANS (Nelspruit)
Destination airport:
FANS (Nelspruit)
Investigating agency:
CAA S.A.
Confidence Rating:
Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities
Narrative: The helicopter was being used to fight a forest fire near Sabie in Mpumalanga. After lifting and dumping three bambi buckets, the helicopter returned for another. While hovering 5m above the dam, a loud bang was heard. The flight engineer cut the engines to stop the helicopter from spinning. It then plunged into the dam and overturned. The rotor blades separated when they struck the water and the tail was severed. The three crew were able to escape through the left hand cockpit window. Only minor injuries were sustained. The helicopter was recovered with the aid of a crane and transported to an approved maintenance organization at Wonderboom Airport north of Pretoria. The AMO was unable to work on this helicopter and it was transported to Russia where the engines were stripped down in the presence of a South African Civil Aviation Authority official, where it was determined that that the right-hand engine turbine section had failed. The helicopter was rebuilt and went on to fly for the United Nations in West Africa re-registered as RA-27071.