ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 215714
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| Date: | Monday 18 May 2009 |
| Time: | 06:00 UTC |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 Beta |
| Owner/operator: | BMK Electronics CC |
| Registration: | ZS-RRO |
| MSN: | 4408 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2009 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Grootfontein Farm, Vaalwater, Limpopo Province -
 South Africa
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Grootfontein Farm, Vaalwater, Limpopo Province |
| Grootfontein Farm, Vaalwater, Limpopo Province | |
| Investigating agency: | CAA S.A. |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On the 18 May 2009, the pilot was flying from Polokwane to Thabazimbi and landed at Grootfontein Farm in Vaalwater to help with the darting of a buffalo. He landed at the Grootfontien Farm to pick up a wildlife veterinarian, removed the helicopter doors and his personal baggage, and then took off to look for the buffalo. The farm was approximately 1.5 nm from the take-off site on Grootfontein farm.
The pilot stated that they found the buffalo within 5 minutes after take-off. The pilot communicated to the ground crew while guiding the buffalo out of the forested area to the open where the veterinarian would be able to dart the buffalo. The helicopter approached the buffalo from behind, flying into wind, and the veterinarian darted the buffalo. The pilot then turned to the right while trying to keep the buffalo out of the forested area. After turning to the right, the engine and rotor RPM decayed, and the pilot attempted to regain rotor RPM by applying throttle while lowering the collective (“milking the collective”). He realised that the helicopter was not gaining RPM and began to move towards a clear area where he could land the helicopter. The helicopter was sinking but he could maintain directional control of the helicopter.
Just before the pilot could land, the helicopter the tail rotor impacted a tree that was approximately 6 metres high and crashed. The main blades impacted the tree in front the helicopter.
Probable Cause: The helicopter tail rotor impacted a tree and the helicopter crashed.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. http://www.caa.co.za/Accidents%20and%20Incidents%20Reports/8653.pdf
2. http://helihub.com/2009/05/18/18-may-09-zs-rro-robinson-r22-vaalwater-south-africa/
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 26-Sep-2018 20:12 | Dr.John Smith | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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