WPR19WA015

On October 23, 2018, about 0745 Coordinated Universal time, a Bell UH-1H helicopter, ZS-HLP, impacted terrain during a firefighting mission near Vermaaklikheid, South Africa. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged in the post-impact fire. The helicopter was operated by Kishugu Aviation under the pertinent civil regulations of the government of Africa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The local flight departed Stillbaai Aerodrome, Western Cape, South Africa about 0615. The Civil Aviation Authority of South Africa, Accident & Incident Investigation Division (AIID) is investigating the accident. As the state of manufacture of the helicopter, the NTSB has designated a US accredited representative to assist the AIID in its investigation. All inquiries concerning this accident should be directed to: South African Civil Aviation Authority Accidents and Incidents Investigation Division Private Bag X 73 Halfway House 1685 South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 11 545-1000 Website: http://www.caa.co.za