On 5 March 2021, a Robinson R44 helicopter crashed in the outskirts of Xumabee near Sojwe in Botswana. There were at least two people in the four-seater helicopter:[1] Sasa Klaas, a Motswana musician, who died at the scene; and Leonard Matenje, director for Air Technology Services, treasurer of Professional Hunters Association and the Botswana Wildlife Producers Association, who survived.[2][3]

2021 Xumabee Game Ranch helicopter crash

The helicopter involved in the accident, taken in 2015
Accident
Date	March 5, 2021 (2021-03-05)
Summary	Crashed to the ground; under investigation
Site	Xumabee, Botswana 23.4393°S 25.7516°E / -23.4393; 25.7516
Aircraft
Aircraft type	Robinson R44
Registration	ZS-SBM
Occupants	2 or 4 (unclear)[1]
Passengers	1 or 3 (unclear)[1]
Crew	1
Fatalities	1
Injuries	1 or 3 (unclear)[1]
Survivors	1 or 3 (unclear)[1]

Aircraft

The helicopter involved in the accident was a Robinson R44, with registration ZS-SBM.[4] The helicopter was previously involved in a minor accident the resulted in the left skid collapsing. The cause of this accident was the result of a student performing an auto-rotation landing with decaying rotor RPM.[5]

Investigation

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 have started to investigate into the accident and currently the two agencies have not released any information. The result of the investigation is expected to be published in March 2022.[1] According to unofficial sources, the cause of the accident was a result of the tail rotor hitting a tree while the aircraft was in a slight nose-up attitude.[6]

See also

• List of accidents and incidents involving helicopters
• List of fatalities from aviation accidents

References