Another ZA helicopter down

[Woody]

https://www.news24.com/witness/topstori ... s-20210121

[TheGreenGoblin]

What the f@k is going on over there?

[PHXPhlyer]

Looks like it was a Bell 430 if same model as photos.

PP

[FD2]

I suppose it's early yet for accurate reports but one version says the aircraft was on its way to Newcastle ('on the Natal coast') but Newcastle seems to be about 200 miles from Johannesburg and not on the coast. Another report that it was transiting from Hillcrest with a critical patient to Johannesburg. That would be a round trip of about 700 miles which would best be done by a fixed wing aircraft as it would take a Bell 430 about 6 hours or so. That time would of course be if it was based at Johannesburg. So early confusion which will hopefully be cleared up in due course. I think the wreckage has been badly damaged and spread over quite a large area so analysis will take a long time. Very sad event.

[FD2]

I see it crashed between Ladysmith and Colenso, which would indicate a track between Durban and Johannesburg or vice versa.

[CharlieOneSix]

Looking at that tail boom it did not have an in-flight main rotor strike on it - the sever point is too far forward, ie it's a separation on ground contact. Very sad - and the loss of a whole specialist ECMO team will be keenly felt.