Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Mabula, Za, May 1, 2018
On May 1, 2018 at about 9:40 am local time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered ZSMZS, was destroyed in an accident near Mabula. It was flown under rules the NTSB did not record. 2 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
- May 1, 2018 · about 9:40 am local time
- Place
- Mabula, South Africa
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II II
- Registration
- ZSMZS · no longer on the register · serial 12180
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 1, 2018, at 0940 Universal Coordinated Time, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, ZS-MZS, impacted an open field for unknown reasons near Mabula, South Africa. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was being operated under the pertinent civil regulations for the Government of South Africa. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of South Africa. This report is for information purposes and contains only information released by the Government of South Africa. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Civil Aviation Authority Accidents and Incidents Investigation Division Private Bag X 73 Halfway House 1685 South Africa Tel: +27 ( 0 ) 11 545-1055/1050 +27 ( 0 ) 83 461-6277 (24 hours) Website: http://www.caa.co.za
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
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,504 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Avco Lyc IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
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 |
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.