2021 Xumabee Game Ranch helicopter crash | |
Image Upright: | 1.15 |
Occurrence Type: | Accident |
Summary: | Crashed following tail rotor collision with terrain |
Site: | Xumabee, Botswana |
Coordinates: | -23.4393°N 25.7516°W |
Aircraft Type: | Robinson R44 II |
Tail Number: | ZS-SBM |
Origin: | Matsieng Air Strip, Botswana |
Destination: | Xumabee Game Ranch, Botswana |
Occupants: | 2 |
Passengers: | 1 |
Crew: | 1 |
Fatalities: | 1 |
Injuries: | 1 |
Survivors: | 1 |
On 5 March 2021, a Robinson R44 helicopter crashed on the outskirts of Xumabee near Sojwe in Botswana. There were two people onboard the R44: The pilot, Leonard Matenje, director for Air Technology Services, treasurer of the Professional Hunters Association and the Botswana Wildlife Producers Association, who survived, and Sasa Klaas, a Motswana musician, who died at the scene.[1] [2]
The helicopter involved in the accident was a Robinson R44 II, with registration ZS-SBM.[3] The helicopter was previously involved in a minor accident on 1 August 2015, that resulted in the left skid collapsing. The cause of that accident was the result of a student performing an autorotation landing with decaying rotor RPM.[4] [5]
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 (CAAB) had started to investigate the accident.
According to the final report released on 6 December 2021, by the Directorate of Accident Investigation in the ministry (DAI), the report stated that:
"The probable cause of this occurrence was the helicopter's tail rotor colliding with terrain and leading to the helicopter's crash."
The DAI also identified the following contributing factors: