Robinson R44 accident near Heilbron, Za, May 19, 2017
On May 19, 2017 at about 2:55 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered ZSHFF, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Heilbron. It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was conditions the NTSB did not record.
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
- May 19, 2017 · about 2:55 pm local time
- Place
- Heilbron, South Africa
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- conditions the NTSB did not record
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- ZSHFF · no longer on the register · serial 12629
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private 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 II helicopter that occurred on May 19, 2017. 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 enroute defining event
Pilot
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming Engines (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Bothaville
- Destination: Heilbron
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
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.