A helicopter crash in South Africa was caused by a penguin inside a cardboard box, according to a recent government report.
Key Points:
- The Incident: On January 19, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter crashed in South Africa after a penguin in a cardboard box shifted and interfered with the pilot’s controls.
- How it Happened: A passenger was holding the box with the penguin. The box slid onto the pilot’s cyclic pitch control lever when the helicopter was about 50 feet above the ground. This caused the aircraft to roll and crash.
- No Injuries: Fortunately, no one was hurt in the crash, including the penguin.
- Where: The crash occurred on Bird Island during an aerial survey off the southeastern coast of South Africa.
- Pilot Error: The investigation revealed that the pilot did not properly follow safety procedures regarding cargo. The pilot failed to include the penguin in the risk assessment form and did not secure the penguin.
- Safety Message: The aviation authority emphasized the importance of following safety rules to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The report did not explain why the penguin was on board, only that a specialist requested to bring the penguin, and the pilot agreed.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority stressed that this incident highlights the importance of adhering to safety regulations to prevent future accidents.
