Hout Bay helicopter crash: DFFE says ‘not our fault’
· The South African
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has clarified its role after a firefighting helicopter crashed in Hout Bay this week.
A helicopter operated by Working on Fire crashed on the mountainside above Hout Bay on Wednesday, prompting an emergency response.
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Emergency services, including Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), responded to the scene on the slopes of Vlakkenberg. The pilot was reported to be safe.
Volunteer Wildfire Services had deployed crews on Tuesday to assist SANParks in suppressing a wildfire that had begun burning along the Pipe Track near Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay.
The blaze then spread to the top of the Vlakkenberg mountain range.
Crash linked to separate contract
The DFFE has since clarified that the helicopter involved – operated by Kishugu Aviation – was not working under its contract at the time.
The department confirmed it has a five-year agreement with the Kishugu Joint Venture, which includes Kishugu Aviation, to support its Working on Fire Programme.
However, it stressed that this particular flight fell outside that agreement.
“The department confirms that, at the time of the incident, the helicopter was deployed under a separate contractual arrangement and was not undertaking work on behalf of DFFE,” the statement read.
According to DFFE, the aircraft was instead operating under a contract with South African National Parks (SANParks).
Investigation under way after Hout Bay crash
Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the crash. DFFE said initial information from the service provider indicated that the pilot was able to exit the aircraft unaided and reach safety.
The pilot was later transported to hospital for medical evaluation.
The department also extended well wishes to the pilot and acknowledged the efforts of emergency responders involved in tackling the wildfire.
“The relevant aviation and law enforcement authorities are expected to investigate the incident,” DFFE added.