Investigation Summary
The flight departed Matsieng Airstrip shortly after 18:00 local time for a planned 45-minute transit to Xumabee Game Ranch. By the time the helicopter reached the ranch, natural light had faded, and the pilot was operating approximately one hour after sunset. The investigation revealed that the pilot had a habit of flying at night during training at Hover Dynamics, but those flights were aided by urban street lighting. In the remote Sandveld region, the lack of natural and artificial lighting left the pilot with limited visual references. Crucially, the pilot did not hold a valid night rating, making the operation under these conditions a violation of aviation regulations. While flying at a low altitude (tree-top level), the helicopter entered a slightly nose-up configuration, causing the tail rotor to strike a tree. The aircraft then entered a steady dive, traveled 25 meters before impacting the ground, and dragged through a boundary fence for another 50 meters. The wreckage rotated 180 degrees clockwise before coming to rest on its left side. The passenger, Sasa Klaas, was rescued from the wreckage but succumbed to her injuries while being transported to a medical facility in Sojwe.
Final Conclusions
The Directorate of Accident Investigation (DAI) concluded that the probable cause was the tail rotor colliding with terrain (a tree) while flying at low altitude. Contributing factors included the pilot's spatial disorientation and the lack of experience in solo night flight with limited visual references. A significant finding in the toxicology report was that the pilot had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05g/100ml, which exceeded the legal limit for pilots in Botswana. The late departure from Matsieng directly led to the arrival occurring in dark conditions for which the pilot was neither qualified nor adequately prepared.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Pilot
Survived with minor injuries. The pilot had approximately 15 hours of night flying experience, mostly in urban environments with ambient lighting.
Systems & Failure Modes
Tail Rotor
The primary component that struck a tree, leading to the loss of directional control.
Attitude Indicator (Horizon)
Post-crash inspection of the instrument showed the helicopter was in a left bank and descending configuration at the time of power loss.
Main Rotor Mast
The mast was found torn into two pieces due to the force of the impact and subsequent rollover.
Interesting Facts
- 01The helicopter was a South African registered Robinson R44 Raven II.
- 02The pilot survived the accident with minor injuries.
- 03The accident occurred in the Western Sandveld region near Sojwe.
- 04The main instrument panel and some structural components were found approximately 15 meters upstream of the main wreckage.
- 05The helicopter rotated 180 degrees clockwise during the crash sequence.
- 06The aircraft had previously been involved in a minor accident in 2015 involving a skid collapse.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Night Flying Training Review
The investigation highlighted the danger of training for night flight in urban areas with significant ambient light (street lights) which does not prepare pilots for the 'black hole' conditions of remote bush flying.