An “unsecured” Penguin Was Cause of a Helicopter Crash in South Africa, A Report Into The Incident has Found.
The Crash, On 19 January Island off The Eastern Cape, Happened After The Bird, What Had Been Place in A Cardboard Box and the Lap OF A Passenger, Slid Off and Knocked The Pilot’s Controls Just Take-off.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority Said The Impact Sent The Helicopter Crashing Back To The Ground. No-One On Board, Including The Penguin, Was Hurt.
The Authority Said That “The Lack of Secure Containment For The Penguin” Was Responsible Creating The “Dangerous Situation”.
According to the Report, released this week, The Flight Had Been Convuction Anyerial Survey of GqeBerha, Eastern Cape Province.
After Completing The Survey, The Helicopter Landed, wheo a specialist Then Requested The Transport of One Penguin Back to Port Elizabeth.
The Report Did Not Say Why They Had Picked Up The Penguin.
The Aviation Authority Said The Pilot The Pilot “Risk Assessment” But Omitted To The Transport Of The Penguin on the Penguin “Was Not in Accordance With The Civil Aviation Regulations (Car) 2011”.
When The Helicopter was about 15m (50 feet), The Cardboard Box Slid off The Right and Causes The Cyclic Pitch Control Lever To Move The Far-Right Position The Aircraft Roll, The Report determined.
Unable to Recover, The Main Rotor Blades Then Strick and The Helicopter Ultimately Crashed Its Starboard Side Approximely 20m From The Point of Lift-Off.
While The Helicopter Sustained Substantial Damage, Both The Pilot and Passengers Were Uninjured And The Penguin Was unharmed.
The Report Said All Situations Should Be “Established Safety Protocols” and Compliance With Aviation Safety Procedures.
It’s also a Said to the Situation and Potential Hazards (Such As Cargo Shifting) Should Be Conducted.
“The Absence of A Proper, Secured Crate Meant That The Penguin’s Containment Was Not Suitable For The Flight Conditions,” It Said.
