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| Date: | Monday 24 March 2025 |
| Time: | 08:00 UTC |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 Raven II |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | ZT-RTF |
| MSN: | 13863 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2015 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | North of Ladysmith Aerodrome (FALY) -
 South Africa
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Howick (FAHC) |
| Ladysmith Airport (LAY/FALY) | |
| Investigating agency: | CAA S.A. |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
A Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter with registration ZT-RTF took off on a private flight from Howick Airfield (FAHC) to Ladysmith Aerodrome (FALY), both located in KwaZulu-Natal province. The pilot intended to refuel at FALY and, thereafter, continue to Grand Central Aerodrome (FAGC) in Gauteng province.
The take-off was uneventful, and the pilot proceeded with the first leg of the flight. The helicopter approached FALY from the south-east direction; after flying over the mountains at approximately 400 feet (ft) above ground level (AGL) and about 0.6 nautical miles (nm) to FALY, he noticed that the engine oil light on the cockpit annunciator panel was flashing (on and off); this was immediately followed by an abnormal sound that emanated from the engine. Subsequently, the low rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) warning horn sounded.
The pilot engaged autorotation to perform a forced landing in the vicinity of the aerodrome. During descent whilst transitioning, the pilot observed smoke on the right side of the engine cowls. The helicopter landed hard on the grass-covered terrain, north of Runway 11/29.
The landing gear skids were level during the hard landing. One of the main rotor blades severed part of the tail boom aft section (which consisted of the tail rotor, part of the tail rotor drive shaft and the tail rotor drive gearbox).
The pilot was not injured during the accident sequence. The helicopter's tail boom and the landing gear skid were damaged.
Probable Cause(s)
Unsuccessful forced landing after an in-flight engine stoppage due to the failed piston pin plug which disintegrated and severely contaminated the engine oil. The metal contaminants in the oil blocked the oil pump suction screen and tubing; this led to loss of lubrication and rapid deterioration, and failure of other internal engine components.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
SACAA
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 5 October 2015 | N174CD | Over | 0 | Devine, Texas |  |
sub |
| Loss of control | ||||||
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Jul-2025 08:38 | ASN | Added |
| 12-Jul-2025 08:40 | ASN | Updated [Total occupants, Location, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Narrative, ] |
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