ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 170120
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| Date: | Thursday 25 September 2014 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 Raven II |
| Owner/operator: | Henley Air |
| Registration: | ZS-OFJ |
| MSN: | 11147 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2006 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Near Rand Airport, Germiston -
 South Africa
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Aerial patrol |
| Departure airport: | FAGM |
| FAGM | |
| Investigating agency: | CAA S.A. |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot was accompanied by a passenger (vehicle tracking personnel) on board the helicopter. They were returning from a commercial vehicle tracking flight when the accident occurred. During the approach at approximately one nautical mile heading in a southerly direction to FAGM, the ATC contacted the pilot after seeing the helicopter manoeuvring strangely. Thus, the ATC observed that the helicopter suddenly hovered and then instantly pitched its nose up before diving straight down in a nose-down attitude. The ATC then asked the pilot to confirm if that operation was normal. The pilot responded with an emergency call “MAYDAY”. Immediately after that call, the ATC saw the helicopter descending until it hit the ground.
According to the eye witness, the helicopter was observed falling nose-down and it burst into flames immediately after impact. The helicopter was destroyed by fire. The main rotor assembly, tail rotor assembly and the vertical stabilizers were found within a radius of 40 meters from the main wreckage.
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the pilot suddenly stopping and attempting to make a hovering out-of-ground effect manoeuvre. This resulted with the pilot losing control and she was unable to recover from the induced abnormal forward flight hovering attitude.
Probable Cause
The helicopter entered into a vortex ring state from which the pilot was unable to recover.
Contributory Factor/s
1. Sudden hovering out-of-ground effect at a restricted height
2. Situational unawareness
3. Loss of control
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum/helicopter-fora/news/98-accidents/page3#post2342
[LINK NOT WORKING ANYMORE:http://www.thenewage.co.za/138816-1009-53-Germiston_helicopter_crash_claims_two]
http://ewn.co.za/2014/09/26/Germiston-helicopter-crash-investigated (photos)
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 26-Sep-2014 07:20 | HeliNews+ | Added |
| 26-Sep-2014 09:10 | aeronaut | Updated [Aircraft type, Cn, Source] |
| 26-Sep-2014 15:57 | Chieftain | Updated [Departure airport, Destination airport, Narrative] |
| 26-Sep-2014 18:44 | Aerossurance | Updated [Source, Damage, Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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