Robinson R44 and Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat mid-air collision near Pretoria, Za, April 27, 2016
On April 27, 2016 at about 10:41 am local time, 2 aircraft, Robinson R44 (ZSRXD) and Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat (ZUKOL), were involved in a mid-air collision near Pretoria. The NTSB record does not give the injuries.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 27, 2016 · about 10:41 am local time
- Place
- Pretoria, South Africa · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- The NTSB record does not give the injuries.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft 1
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- ZSRXD · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
- Aircraft 2
- Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat
- Registration
- ZUKOL · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative for the Robinson R44 preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
The South African CAA has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Robinson R44 helicopter and Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat ultralight that occurred on April 27, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the SACAA's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 as the State of Manufacturer and Design of the helicopter.All investigative information will be released by the SACAA.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
The South African CAA has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Robinson R44 helicopter and Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat ultralight that occurred on April 27, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the SACAA's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 as the State of Manufacturer and Design of the helicopter. All investigative information will be released by the SACAA.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Robinson R44 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Avco Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
The factual record for the Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.