Title: Sad day for the SAAF
Description: Oryx crashes in Free State
Description: Oryx crashes in Free State
FALCON 1 - November 30, 2007 03:05 AM (GMT)
News bulletin from The Unofficial SAAF website:
| QUOTE |
| Lee Rondganger and Sapa A routine crime prevention exercise has turned deadly for a group of soldiers and police patrolling the Lesotho border. A policeman died and eight others were seriously injured when the South African Air Force Oryx helicopter in which they were travelling crashed 20km south of Wepener in the Free State on Wednesday. There were 19 servicemen on board - 14 police officers, two SANDF members and three South African Air Force crew. The police officer, from the Eastern Cape, was declared dead at the scene. 'There were no witnesses on the South African side of the border' The injured were airlifted to Pelonomi Hospital in nearby Bloemfontein, where their condition last night was said to be stable. It was not known what caused the crash, but the SANDF has launched an investigation into the incident. Free State police spokesperson Superintendent Sam Makhele said investigators were searching for people who might have seen the crash. "There were no witnesses on the South African side of the border. There might have been on the Lesotho side, but we have not been able to find out yet," he said. A reporter at the scene said the helicopter landed on its side on a small hill about 20m into Lesotho. The tail had broken off and was lying several metres from the fuselage. Other pieces of wreckage, including a set of wheels, were scattered around an area of about 60m. The crash site had been cordoned off with yellow police tape. Police officers left the scene around 5pm, and members of the Lesotho Defence Force and SANDF were left to keep watch through the night. Wednesday's crash was the second deadly military-related accident in recent weeks. Last month, nine soldiers were killed and 14 others wounded during an army training exercise at the SA Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla, Northern Cape. The tragedy occurred when a computerised anti-aircraft cannon being used during training went out of control and wildly spat out high-explosive bullets for several seconds. It is suspected that the gun jammed, and when the soldiers operating it tried to unblock it, an accidental round was fired, causing an explosion inside the magazines. The SANDF is still probing this accident. Source: IOL |
The following is a very rough translation of an Afrikaans article that appeared in the Beeld newspaper:
| QUOTE |
| By Erika Gibson Helicopter flying, particularly in mountain areas with strong wind, takes place in a three-dimensional space which requires a helicopter pilot to have eyes in the back of his head. That is what Mr Charlie Marais, ex-Oryx instructor and previous commander of the airforces' 87 Helicopter Flying School at Bloemspruit, near Wepener, said yesterday after the crash the previous day on the Lesotho border. A Police member died in the accident and another eight were seriously wounded. A further seven passengers received light injuries when an Oryx crashed during a crime prevention operation. Phuti Setati, national police spokesman, said Constable Colin Mervin William (32) of the Bisho police station in the Eastern Cape died in the accident. He was on border duty, helping with cross-border crime operations. According to Marais, the operation was high risk flying where strong winds in mountainous terrain may have played a part in the accident. "If strong winds are blowing, it will have in influence on the helicopters power. The helicopter was carrying a full load and according to its condition, it was not very high when it fell". Marais said that, in such a case, the rotor blades could have cut the tail shortly before or after the impact, which would account for the tail section being separated from the fuselage. "When the tail breaks off, the helicopter is out of control and rolls in the opposite direction to which a person steers it. This could also be the reason why the cabin fell on its side. The undercarriage was also broken off. "I have a renewed respect for the Oryx after seeing the wreckage. The cabin is relatively undamaged. I'm sure any other helicopter would have burnt out". It is suspected that William was sitting in the door and died when the helicopter fell on top of him in the crash. The Oryx helicopter has been in service with the airforce since 1988. There have only been five accidents or serious incidents during this time in which the helicopter has been damaged or written-off. The first wa sin 1999 when an Oryx crashed near Kroonstad when a jacket flew out the door and got caught in the tail rotor. Altogether, eleven people died and 14 were injured. This and Wednesdays crash were the only fatal accidents with this type of helicopter. |
An unrelated image depicting the SAAF supporting the SAPS during crime-combating operations:
R.I.P. to the fallen...
We honor those who put their lives on the line
Brad - February 1, 2008 11:34 PM (GMT)
WOW nice pictures that chopper must have come down hard feel sorry for the crew :(