You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Monday 18 January 2016 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  Airbus Helicopters H125 Ecureuil (AS 350B3) |
| Owner/operator: | Savannah Helicopters, lst Banro Congo Mining |
| Registration: | ZS-RCO |
| MSN: | 7944 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2014 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Kutuku village -
 Congo (Democratic Republic)
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Executive |
| Departure airport: | Kamituga Airport (FZPB) |
| Twangiza | |
| Investigating agency: | BPEA |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Some 12 minutes into the flight, the pilot noticed there was no response from the anti-torque pedals (tail rotor) inputs. Suspecting a 'Tail Rotor Control Failure' the pilot searched for suitable place to perform an emergency landing. As a result of the soft landing conditions, the right skid sunk into the ground causing the aircraft to roll onto its right side.
Probable Cause
Human Factor: The disconnection of the lace command results from the non-compliant execution of an assembly operation by the absence of the pin designed to brake the screw, the absence of screw facing and tightening by AHZA before the delivery of the helicopter involved in the accident to SAVANNAH HELICOPTERS.
Contributing Factor
Non-compliance with PIC procedures at the time of tail rotor command loss.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.bea.aero/en/investigation-reports/notified-events/detail/event/accident-to-airbus-helicopters-as350-registered-zs-rco-on-01182016-at-kutuku-investigation-led-by-aib-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 27-Jan-2016 20:54 | harro | Added |
| 10-May-2016 11:18 | Aerossurance | Updated [Aircraft type, ] |
| 07-Jul-2024 18:01 | ASN | Updated [Operator, Total occupants, Departure airport, Narrative, Accident report, ] |
| 07-Jul-2024 18:02 | ASN | Updated |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation