Accident to the Bell 505 registered ZT-RJC on 24/03/2020 at Cristiana [Investigation led by AIID / South Africa]

Preliminary data based on the notification from the South African authorities:

On 24 March 2020, the pilot accompanied by a passenger on board Bell 505, with registration markings of ZT-RJC took-off from Diamond private farm with intention to land at Roodedraai private farm. This was a private being conducted under visual flight rules. Clear weather conditions prevailed at the time leading to the accident. According to available information, the helicopter landed on uneven terrain, the pilot attempted to reposition the helicopter. During the repositioning, the skid gear caught the ground and the helicopter rolled to the left, rendering the main rotor blades striking the ground. During the impact a piece of the main rotor blade went through the cabin’s lefthand side, and fatally injuring the passenger. The helicopter came to a halt lying on its left side.