In a surprising turn of events, a helicopter crash on January 19 off Bird Island, Eastern Cape, was traced back to an improperly secured penguin. As the helicopter took off for an aerial survey, the cardboard box containing the penguin slipped off the passenger's lap, hitting the pilot’s controls. This unexpected movement of the cyclic pitch control lever resulted in the helicopter rolling and ultimately crashing, approximately 20 meters from the launch point. Fortunately, all passengers, including the penguin, emerged unscathed.
The Civil Aviation Authority's investigative report stated the failure to properly secure the penguin was the "primary cause" of the crash. Although a risk assessment was performed by the pilot, transporting the penguin was not included, violating the Civil Aviation Regulations established in 2011. The report emphasized the importance of following established safety protocols to prevent such dangerous situations, highlighting that proper containment is essential, particularly in aviation scenarios.
