CA18/2/3/7265
	SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY ACCIDENT REPORT – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Date of Accident	6 November 2000		Time of Accident				1400Z
Aircraft Registration	ZS-RHC		Type of Aircraft				Robinson R22
Pilot-in-command Licence Type			Private				Licence Valid			Yes
Pilot-in-command Flying Experience			Total Flying Hours		210		Total Hours on Type			210
Type of Operation			Private
Last point of departure			Nelspruit
Next point of intended landing			Sodwana
Location of the accident site with reference to easily defined geographical points (plus GPS readings if possible)
Mountain - between Nelspruit and Barberton (S25°45’919” – E031°11’780”)
Meteorological Information		Weather was fine
Number of people on board		1+1		No. of people injured		0		No. of people killed			0
Synopsis
The pilot and his passenger were on a private flight from Nelspruit to Sodwana when the accident occurred. According to the pilot the take-off at Nelspruit was normal and the flight was uneventful until just before he was to cross the mountain range between Nelspruit and Barberton. He suddenly experienced a loss of power and he was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot executed an auto rotational landing and due to the steep slope on the mountain the helicopter rolled over. The accident occurred during daylight at a geographical position defined as S25°45’919” – E031°11’780” at a height of approximately 4250 ft above mean sea level (AMSL).
Probable Cause
The down draught, on the lee side of the mountain ridge, in the vicinity of the accident scene caused the helicopter to loose height to a point where the pilot was unable to clear high ground and had to perform an emergency landing which resulted in the helicopter to roll over due to the slope of the terrain. The effect of the aircraft being overloaded could be considered as a significant contributory factor in this accident.