10 February 1999
The Minister of Transport Mac Maharaj today announced that a four-person team had been dispatched to Cape Town to investigate the helicopter crash in the city this morning.
The team from the Civil Aviation Authority comprises of three investigators and an airworthiness expert on the M18 helicopter.
Preliminary indications are that the tailrotor of the MI8 helicopter struck a sign and failed. Such a failure normally results in the loss of control of the helicopter.
The investigation will focus on such aspects as possible defects occurring prior to the tailrotor impact, the operating procedure of the owners of the helicopter ie Heyns Helicopters, the supporting services, and the conditions surrounding the approval of this specific operation.
The Russian MI8 helicopters have been utilised in South Africa since 1993. Following numerous discussions with the manufacturers, the Civil Aviation Authorities of the Russian Federation and the Authorities of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), this particular helicopter was registered in South Africa in 1997.
These helicopters have been operating in South Africa without any serious problems and there is a need for their heavy lifting capabilities.
Civil Aviation Regulations require that an operator applies to the Commissioner for Civil Aviation Trevor Abrahams to grant approval for any operations over a building.
The restrictions normally associated with such approval are that a twin engine helicopter to be utilised, safe entry and exit paths to be established so that no injury would result should the load have to be dropped, crowd control to be in place and the local authority having no objections.
The results of this investigation may result in a review of the above. Further details will be released as soon new information becomes available.
Minister Maharaj sent his condolences to the families of the four victims of the crash.
Issued by Didi Moyle: PA and Media Liaison Officer to the Minister of Transport
Inquiries to CAA: Communications Manager : Jackie Mfeka 083 635 0019 (012) 346 5566
Didi Moyle
PA and Media Liaison Officer to the Minister of Transport
Pretoria: (012) 309 3131 (phone) or (012) 328 3194 (fax)
Cape Town: (021) 457260 (phone) or (021) 461 6845 (fax)
email: moyle@mweb.co.za
or moyled@ndot.pwv.gov.za
(Pretoria only)
cell: 082 808 5108