An investigation has revealed that a helicopter crash in South Africa earlier this year was caused by an unsecured African penguin being transported in a cardboard box.
The unusual incident occurred on 19 January, shortly after take-off from Bird Island, located off the coast of the Eastern Cape. According to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the penguin, placed in a box on a passenger’s lap, slid off and hit the helicopter’s controls, causing the pilot to lose control and crash.
Fortunately, no one on board, including the penguin, was injured in the accident. However, the helicopter sustained significant damage when it crash-landed on its side approximately 20 meters from the lift-off point.
The helicopter had just completed an aerial survey of Bird Island when a specialist on board requested to transport a penguin back to Port Elizabeth. The report does not specify the reason for moving the bird.
While the pilot conducted a standard risk assessment prior to take-off, the penguin’s inclusion was not accounted for in the official documentation, a violation of South Africa’s Civil Aviation Regulations.
The SACAA report stated that the unsecured box shifted about 15 meters into the flight, bumping into the cyclic pitch control lever and pushing it to the extreme right. This led the aircraft to roll uncontrollably, with the main rotor blades striking the ground moments later.
Investigators stressed that the incident could have been avoided if proper containment protocols had been followed. “The absence of a secure crate meant the penguin’s containment was not suitable for flight conditions,” the report noted.
It concluded by emphasizing the need for adherence to strict safety procedures, particularly when transporting live animals, and highlighted the importance of evaluating all potential hazards prior to take-off.
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