Robinson R44 accident near Lusikisuki, Near Port John, Eastern Cape Province, Za, August 3, 2016
On August 3, 2016 at about 12:30 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered ZSRXW, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Lusikisuki, Near Port John, Eastern Cape Province. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 4 people were killed.
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
- August 3, 2016 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lusikisuki, Near Port John, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- ZSRXW · no longer on the register · serial 10881
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Robinson R44 helicopter that occurred on August 03, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist SACAA's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 as the State of Manufacturer and Design of the helicopter/engine.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 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during approach defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.