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Aviation Accident: Penguin in Cardboard Box Blamed for South Africa Helicopter Crash
Penguin Causes Helicopter Mishap in Eastern Cape
An investigation has revealed that an “unsecured” penguin, transported in a cardboard box, precipitated a helicopter crash in South Africa. The incident occurred when the penguin, placed on a passenger’s lap, slid off and interfered with the pilot’s controls shortly after takeoff from Bird Island, off the coast of the Eastern Cape province on January 19.
Unsecured Penguin Led to Loss of Control
According to the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s (SACAA) report, the unexpected movement of the penguin caused the pilot to lose control, leading to the aircraft plummeting to the ground. Miraculously, all occupants, including the penguin, emerged from the wreckage without injuries.
The SACAA report explicitly stated that “the absence of secure containment for the penguin” was the direct cause of the “dangerous situation” that unfolded.
Details of the Bird Island Flight
Aerial Survey and Penguin Transport Request
The report, made public this week, detailed that the helicopter flight was initially tasked with conducting an aerial survey of Bird Island, situated in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. Upon completion of the survey mission, after landing on the island, a specialist requested to transport a penguin back to Port Elizabeth.
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Notably, the report did not specify the reasons for the penguin’s relocation.
Pilot’s Risk Assessment Omitted Penguin Transport
The aviation authority’s findings indicated that while the pilot performed a “risk assessment” before the flight, this assessment failed to account for the transportation of the penguin. The inclusion of the penguin as cargo was deemed “not in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011”.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Crash
Critical Moment After Takeoff
The report detailed the critical moments following takeoff. When the helicopter reached an altitude of approximately 15 meters (50 feet), the cardboard box containing the penguin shifted from the specialist’s lap to the right. This movement resulted in the cyclic pitch control lever being forced into a far-right position, initiating an aircraft roll.
Crash Landing and Damage Assessment
The pilot was unable to regain control of the helicopter. Consequently, the main rotor blades struck the ground, and the aircraft crashed on its right side, approximately 20 meters from the initial lift-off point.
Despite the substantial damage sustained by the helicopter, both the pilot and passengers were uninjured, and the penguin remained unharmed throughout the incident.
Safety Protocol Recommendations
Emphasis on Established Safety Procedures
The report emphasized the paramount importance of adhering to “established safety protocols” in all aviation operations and ensuring full compliance with aviation safety procedures.
Importance of Hazard Evaluation
Furthermore, the investigation stressed that a thorough evaluation of all potential hazards, including the risk of cargo shifting during flight, must be conducted prior to any flight operation.
The report concluded that “the absence of a proper, secured crate meant that the penguin’s containment was not suitable for the flight conditions,” directly contributing to the aviation accident.