On 5 March 2021, a Robinson R44 helicopter crashed on the outskirts of Xumabee near Sojwe in Botswana. There were two people onboard the R44: The pilot, Leonard Matenje, director for Air Technology Services, treasurer of the Professional Hunters Association and the Botswana Wildlife Producers Association, who survived, and Sasa Klaas, a Motswana musician, died while enroute to hospital.[1][2]
.jpg) ZS-SBM, the helicopter involved in the accident, photographed in 2015 | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 5 March 2021 |
| Summary | Crashed following tail rotor collision with terrain |
| Site | Xumabee, Botswana 23°26′21″S 25°45′06″E / 23.4393°S 25.7516°E |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Robinson R44 II |
| Registration | ZS-SBM |
| Flight origin | Matsieng Air Strip, Botswana |
| Destination | Xumabee Game Ranch, Botswana |
| Occupants | 2 |
| Passengers | 1 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Injuries | 1 |
| Survivors | 1 |
Aircraft
editThe helicopter involved in the accident was a Robinson R44 II, with registration ZS-SBM.[3] The helicopter was previously involved in a minor accident on 1 August 2015, that resulted in the left skid collapsing. The cause of that accident was the result of a student performing an autorotation landing with decaying rotor RPM.[4][5]
Investigation
editThe Ministry of Transport and Communications released a statement stating the Directorate of Accident Investigation in the ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) had started to investigate the accident.[citation needed]
According to the final report released on 6 December 2021, by the Directorate of Accident Investigation in the ministry (DAI), the report stated that:
"The probable cause of this occurrence was the helicopter's tail rotor colliding with terrain and leading to the helicopter's crash."
The DAI also identified the following contributing factors:
- The helicopter was flying at a low altitude approximately at tree-top level with limited visibility due to the lack of natural lighting (i.e. approximately 1 hour after sunset). The pilot had probably experienced spatial disorientation with the possibility of being under the influence.
- The pilot had arrived late to the ranch, compounded by his habit of flying at night with another during training at Hover Dynamics where he was also aided by street lighting and other sources of light.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Carter, Logan (8 March 2021). "Was Sasa Klaas Murdered?". South Africa Rich And Famous. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- ^ "Botswana Mourn Sasa Klass". Botswana Youth Magazine. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- ^ Staff WRITER. "The Monitor :: 'Mmamongwato' dies in a chopper crash". The Monitor. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- ^ "Accident Robinson R-44 II ZS-SBM, 01 Aug 2015". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "SACAA final report" (PDF). South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ "Accident Robinson R44 II ZS-SBM, 05 March 2021". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ "DAI final report" (PDF). Government of Botswana/ Directorate of Accident Investigation (DAI). Retrieved 10 February 2024.