Helicopter Reg: ZS-RFS
Model: Bell Longranger
Operator: NAC
Owner: King Air Services Partnership
Heli had no wire cutter kit installed. The rotor brake took almost all of the impact as it was sheared from its mounting and recovered from the cockpit floor. The battery cables, overhead panel etc. was totally destroyed. By the looks of the impact marks, the first point of impact was on the pilot side windshield which shattered.
The single power cable was strung between two hills, so the pilot was flying in the valley when the incident occured.
Heard that the ACFT was configured as an air ambulance, and had only two seats at the back. Apparently it is the second incident in two months involving the same heli and pilot. First incident the door was not latched and flew open and broke off during flight.
