Update

GEORGE NEWS - The deaths of Wilderness resident Dané Esterhuysen and her brother, Jacobus (Essie) Esterhuysen, in a helicopter crash in May probably resulted from the pilot experiencing what is known as "loss of depth perception". 

This came to light in the preliminary findings published by the investigators, the Accident and Incident Investigations Division South African Civil Aviation Authority.

The Esterhuysen siblings died after the R44 Raven II helicopter they were travelling in, crashed into the water of the Vaal Marina Dam on 14 May. Essie was the pilot.

Judging by the preliminary findings of the investigation, no other possible cause for the crash was determined. It stated that the pilot was licensed and qualified for the flight. 

He was familiar with the area of the intended landing site as he flew there regularly before the accident. On-site evidence indicated that the engine was producing power at the time of the accident. 

The helicopter displayed no evidence of pre-existing damage to control linkages, and the tail rotor gearbox shafts could be rotated without resistance. All components from the helicopter were found at the accident site.

There was no evidence of a pre- or post-impact fire.

There were also no pre-existing mechanical faults with either the engine, main rotor or tail rotor systems recorded in the flight folio and defect logs that could have contributed to the accident. 

Additionally, there were no snags recorded in the flight folio and defect logs with either the navigation or communication systems prior to the accident flight. The flight was conducted under VFR by day at dusk. No significant weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident that would have contributed to the accident. 

"Based on the video footage, the helicopter flew over calm, glassy waters that mirrored the surroundings," reads the statement. "The glassy waters illusion could have given the pilot the perception that they were higher than they actually were, causing the pilot to reduce the height, resulting in the helicopter touching the water. This is known as a loss of depth perception while flying over calm, glassy waters."

Based on these preliminary findings, the investigative authority recommended that it must be made mandatory that helicopters operating over water must be fitted with flotation devices, including helicopters that approach, land or take off over a large mass of water.

The investigation is still ongoing and it was stated that the investigator/s will be looking into other aspects of the accident "which may or may not have safety implications".

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