Bell 47G accident near Limpopo Province, Za, July 30, 2019
On July 30, 2019 at about 9:00 am local time, a Bell 47G (helicopter), registered ZSHGY, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Limpopo Province. It was flown under rules the NTSB did not record. 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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
- July 30, 2019 · about 9:00 am local time
- Place
- Limpopo Province, South Africa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G · all 47Gs on the register
- Registration
- ZSHGY · no longer on the register · serial 164
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 30, 2019, about 0900 coordinated universal time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 helicopter, ZS-HGY, impacted terrain following a total loss of engine power near Alldays, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under the pertinent civil regulations of the government of South Africa. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of South Africa. This report is for information purposes only 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 11 545-1000 +27 0 83 461-6277 (24 hours) E-mail: mail@caa.co.za Fax: +27 0 11 545 1465 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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff defining event
Pilot
- Certificate: foreign licence
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Alldays at 9:00 am
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 30°F (-1°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.