On Sunday morning at around 11h45 HEMS received a call about a helicopter crash where an Alouette II ZU-RAJ with a pilot and two passengers landed up in the Crocodile River just outside Brits. The pilot of the helicopter managed to free himself from the wreckage and call for assistance. When HEMS arrived on the scene two passengers were still trapped in the wreckage. Whilst the pilot was transported to hospital in Brits the rescue motion to free the two trapped passengers. Whilst this was all happening crocodiles were noticed in the area. With the assistance of bystanders HEMS medics were able to free one of the passengers and the patient was placed onto a spine board and carried out of the river. The patients sustained serious injuries and was airlifted by emergency medical helicopter. Unfortunately the other passenger was declared dead on the scene, probably through drowning. Our condolences to the family and friends. It is understood that this helicopter was based at Brits airfield and the new owner had only owned the Alouette II for about three months.
Alouette II accident in South Africa
- ian16th
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Alouette II accident in South Africa
From African Pilot:
Cynicism improves with age
- CharlieOneSix
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
Photo of accident site:
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org
- TheGreenGoblin
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
I cannot think of a worse place to end up in the drink.
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
Yes, an aircraft crash into a Crocodile River!!!! Best not to buy a lottery ticket.
- TheGreenGoblin
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
An acquaintance of mine wrote himself off in that area crashing into the nearby Magaliesberg Mountains in a light aircraft, one very hot sunny day, when the ground rose faster than his aircraft's ability to climb. Density altitude uber alles.TheGreenGoblin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 1:18 pmI cannot think of a worse place to end up in the drink.
I suppose the only worse place to land in that area would be into one of the snake pits at the nearby Hartbeespoort Dam Snake Park!
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
- TheGreenGoblin
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
Aircraft usually based in nearby Nylstroom! (about +- 100 miles north of Brits)...
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
- TheGreenGoblin
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
Sold and repainted and moved to Brits apparently. The new owner had only owned the aircraft for a couple of months.TheGreenGoblin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 1:52 pmAircraft usually based in nearby Nylstroom! (about +- 100 miles north of Brits)...
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
- Woody
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
When all else fails, read the instructions.
- TheGreenGoblin
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
It was a Bell 206B JetRanger II ZS-HUC. Aircraft based in Swellendam I believe.
https://www.globalnpo.org/ZA/Wellington ... 6/Ross-Air
A wire strike and the young pilot killed.
https://www.globalnpo.org/ZA/Wellington ... 6/Ross-Air
A wire strike and the young pilot killed.
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
- TheGreenGoblin
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
The Alouette that went down in the Crocodile River ran out of fuel! Pilot unlicensed for commercial operations....
https://www.pressreader.com/south-afric ... 8258031623
Report makes for gloomy reading.
http://www.caa.co.za/Accidents%20and%20 ... s/9940.pdf
https://www.pressreader.com/south-afric ... 8258031623
Report makes for gloomy reading.
http://www.caa.co.za/Accidents%20and%20 ... s/9940.pdf
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
- Ex-Ascot
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
Idiot. Can't get onto the press report. Was he done?
'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.' Sir Winston Churchill.
- TheGreenGoblin
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
Legal process is underway. The pilot denies that he ran out of fuel and claims he refueled but cannot, as required by ZA Air Law show, a record of such an uplift. He is in deep doo doo! It appears that the ZA CAA believes he was charging for sightseeing, thus running a commercial operation without the relevant authorizations and certification as well.
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."
- Ex-Ascot
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Re: Alouette II accident in South Africa
Thanks GG. Hope that they throw the book at him.
'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.' Sir Winston Churchill.