A helicopter assisting firefighters crashed on the side of Table Mountain on Wednesday, according to the City of Cape Town. The helicopter was dumping water onto burning vegetation when its rotor clipped the side of the mountain, causing it to crash and explode.
Flames and a plume of smoke could be seen after the helicopter circulated above the veld fire. As it was trying to offload the water, its rotor clipped the rocks on the right side of the mountain. Moments later the helicopter went down and flames and smoke could be seen.
Incident Management Team Activated
Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, posted on social media that the pilot seems to have survived the crash. The City of Cape Town has immediately activated an ‘Incident Management Team 5’ and has deployed rescue technicians up the mountain face. Enforcement officers have been dispatched to secure the crash site until the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Civil Aviation Authority is able to take over the scene.
Cause of the Crash
The cause of the crash is still unknown, but an investigation will be conducted by the relevant authorities. The City of Cape Town has assured the public that they will do everything in their power to determine the cause of the crash and prevent such incidents in the future.
According to Wikipedia, helicopter crashes are often caused by a combination of human error and technical failures. In this case, it is unclear what factors contributed to the crash, but the investigation will likely reveal more information.
Here are some key facts about the crash:
- The helicopter was assisting firefighters on Table Mountain
- The rotor clipped the side of the mountain, causing the helicopter to crash and explode
- The pilot survived the crash
- An investigation will be conducted by the relevant authorities
