2021 Xumabee Game Ranch helicopter crash

On 5 March 2021, a Robinson R44 helicopter crashed in the outskirts of Xumabee near Sojwe in Botswana. There were at least two people in the four-seater helicopter:[1] Sasa Klaas, a Motswana musician, who died at the scene; and Leonard Matenje, director for Air Technology Services, treasurer of Professional Hunters Association and the Botswana Wildlife Producers Association, who survived.[2][3]

2021 Xumabee Game Ranch helicopter crash
The helicopter involved in the accident, taken in 2015
Accident
DateMarch 5, 2021 (2021-03-05)
SummaryCrashed to the ground; under investigation
SiteXumabee, Botswana
23.4393°S 25.7516°E / -23.4393; 25.7516
Aircraft
Aircraft typeRobinson R44
RegistrationZS-SBM
Occupants2 or 4 (unclear)[1]
Passengers1 or 3 (unclear)[1]
Crew1
Fatalities1
Injuries1 or 3 (unclear)[1]
Survivors1 or 3 (unclear)[1]

Aircraft

The helicopter involved in the accident was a Robinson R44, with registration ZS-SBM.[4] The helicopter was previously involved in a minor accident the resulted in the left skid collapsing. The cause of this accident was the result of a student performing an auto-rotation landing with decaying rotor RPM.[5]

Investigation

The Ministry of Transport and Communications released a statement stating the Directorate of Accident Investigation in the ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana have started to investigate into the accident and currently the two agencies have not released any information. The result of the investigation is expected to be published in March 2022.[1] According to unofficial sources, the cause of the accident was a result of the tail rotor hitting a tree while the aircraft was in a slight nose-up attitude.[6]

See also

References
  1. Mathala, Sharon (8 June 2021). "Sasa Klaas helicopter crash mysteries". TheVoiceBW. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  2. Carter, Logan (2021-03-08). "Was Sasa Klaas Murdered?". South Africa Rich And Famous. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  3. "Botswana Mourn Sasa Klass". Botswana Youth Magazine. 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  4. Staff WRITER. "The Monitor :: 'Mmamongwato' dies in a chopper crash". The Monitor. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  5. Ranter, Harro. "Accident Robinson R-44 II ZS-SBM, 01 Aug 2015". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
  6. Ranter, Harro. "Accident Robinson R44 II ZS-SBM, 05 Mar 2021". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.