ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 345483
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| Date: | Friday 8 September 2023 |
| Time: | 10:40 UTC |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 Raven II |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | ZS-RKK |
| MSN: | 11338 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2006 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2080 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 40 km NW of Rustenburg area -
 South Africa
|
| Phase: | Standing |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | CAA S.A. |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The helicopter took off from the pilot's private farm in the area of Lindleyspoort as a sole occupant to a private farm Prince situated 40 km in the direction north-west of Rustenburg area.
According to the pilot who is also the owner, he took off from his farm on a private flight with intentions to go assist in locating games (wild animals) on one of his friend's private farm. Upon arrival at the farm, the helicopter was landed on an open field with long dry grass. During landing while still settling the helicopter and was initiating a shutdown procedure, the pilot noticed one of the farm workers waving to him and pointing towards the rear. As the pilot looked, he noticed a smoke emanating from the side of the exhaust. At the time the engine had already been shut down. The pilot jumped outside with the onboard fire extinguisher with intention to extinguish the fire. Due to the intensity of the fire and the size of the extinguisher, the attempt was in vain. The fire got intense and suddenly set the helicopter alight. The pilot and other people run away from the intense fire to a distance and watched the helicopter engulfed by the veld fire that erupted. The helicopter was destroyed by fire.
Probable Cause
The pilot landed the helicopter on tall dry grass which ignited on contact with the hot exhaust; the helicopter was consumed by the fire.
Contributing Factor(s)
1. The pilot disregarded the safe operation of the helicopter by landing on tall dry grass whilst being aware that the helicopter was not equipped with the Muffler and Tailpipe Shield Kit as per the SB-46 and whilst he understood the risks associated with such landing conditions.
2. The pilot ignored Safety Tip 15 and Safety Notice SN-17 in Section 10 of the POH by not choosing a safe suitable area to land.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
FlyAfrica Group
https://caasanwebsitestorage.blob.core.windows.net/occurencereports/August%202023.pdf
https://www.rodbearden.com/South%20Africa%202018/Grand%20Central%20Airport/Robinson%20R44%20Raven%20II%20ZS-RKK%201.JPG (photo)
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 13-Sep-2023 07:38 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 28-Sep-2023 12:44 | harro | Updated |
| 22-Nov-2023 18:31 | harro | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Narrative, Accident report] |
| 22-Dec-2023 17:06 | harro | Updated [Date, Other fatalities] |
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