Penguin gets blamed for helicopter collision in S-Africa
(MENAFN) South African aviation authorities have revealed that a penguin onboard was responsible for a helicopter crash that occurred on January 19, 2025. According to a report by the Daily Mail, the accident involved a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter shortly after it departed from Bird Island in the Eastern Cape.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) released its findings on Tuesday, stating that the penguin was being transported in a cardboard box held by a researcher. Shortly after takeoff, about 15 meters above the ground, the box slipped from the researcher's lap and fell onto the pilot’s cyclic pitch control lever.
The unexpected movement caused the helicopter to roll sharply to the right, leading to a rapid descent. The aircraft's blades hit the ground, resulting in significant damage. Fortunately, neither the passengers nor the penguin suffered serious injuries.
Investigators noted that the cardboard box was an unsuitable container for transporting the animal in flight, as it lacked the security of a proper crate.
The flight was part of a wildlife survey mission, and after completing the task, the helicopter landed on the island, where the researcher requested to transport a penguin back to Port Elizabeth. The pilot, a 35-year-old with over 1,650 flight hours, agreed to the request. Although he conducted a risk assessment before takeoff, he failed to consider the potential danger of carrying the penguin onboard in an unsecured box.
The CAA has recommended improved pilot training in flight risk assessment to prevent similar incidents.
Meanwhile, South Africa continues conservation efforts to protect the African penguin, which was declared “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2024. Fewer than 8,000 breeding pairs remain, with commercial fishing along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia posing the greatest threat to their survival. In response, Pretoria’s High Court has banned commercial fishing in six marine areas to safeguard the species.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
