ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 230964
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| Date: | Thursday 28 November 2019 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  Bell 505 JetRanger X |
| Owner/operator: | Kimfly Charters |
| Registration: | ZT-RDR |
| MSN: | 65117 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2017 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 70 hours |
| Engine model: | Turbomeca Arrius 2R |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Army base, Kimberley, Northern Cape -
 South Africa
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | Kimberley Airport (KIM/FAKM) |
| Kimberley Airport (KIM/FAKM) | |
| Investigating agency: | CAA S.A. |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On 28 November 2019 at 0826Z, the pilot and three passengers boarded a Bell 505 helicopter with registration ZT-RDR from Kimberley Aerodrome (FAKM) with the intention to land back at the same aerodrome. The private flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) in clear weather conditions. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to fly over the KEM-JV mine for inspection, then route to Kamfers Dam to survey the decreasing water levels and larger than normal population of the flamingos, and then fly to the local council’s water supply pipes to inspect them before returning to FAKM. Once the mission was completed at the dam and the helicopter was en route to the water supply pipelines, during that part of the flight, the pilot and passengers noticed immense water leaks on the main water pipeline to the west of the army base in the Midlands area. The pilot had then made a descent to 300 feet (ft) above ground level (AGL), slowed down the speed and flew west, adjacent the leaking pipeline while one of the passengers photographed the water leaks.
During the turn to the right while inspecting the leaking water pipeline, the helicopter unexpectedly yawed to the right. The pilot tried to regain control by applying left radar pedal and lowering the collective, but he was not successful in bringing the helicopter under control. This was followed by the pilot applying right pedal input, as well as up and down collective movement variations, which were all unsuccessful.
The helicopter impacted the uneven surface near the holes that were dug up for inserting (fitting) pipes. The helicopter sustained substantial damage while the four occupants on-board the helicopter sustained serious injuries.
Probable Cause/s and/or Contributory Factors
During the turn to the right to inspect the leaking water pipeline, the helicopter unexpectedly yawed to the right and lost control, the pilot tried to recover but he was unsuccessful. As a result, the helicopter impacted the uneven surface.
Contributory factors
Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) as a result of increased main rotor angle of attack during the right turn.
Incorrect technique during right turn.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/DFANEWSPAPER/photos/pcb.2738608232898579/2738607979565271/?type=3&theater
http://www.kimflycharters.co.za/
Location
Media:
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 28-Nov-2019 16:56 | Anon. | Added |
| 28-Nov-2019 16:58 | harro | Updated [Total fatalities, Embed code] |
| 28-Nov-2019 17:46 | RobertMB | Updated [Aircraft type, Cn, Other fatalities] |
| 29-Nov-2019 10:35 | Anon. | Updated [Operator, Location, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source] |
| 05-Jul-2022 12:06 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location, Narrative] |
| 22-Nov-2023 14:52 | harro | Updated [Other fatalities] |
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