The investigators in the helicopter crash that claimed the life of local rapper Sarona ‘Sasa Klaas’ Motlhagodi seem to be at the mercy of the survivor, with the pilot providing a one sided witness account of events leading to the crash.
With no flight plan, no transponder, and no eyewitnesses the only information available to investigators in relation to passengers and what led to the crash remains the pilot’s version, making it difficult to paint a true picture of events leading to the accident.
The wreckage of the aircraft, it has become apparent, remains a crucial component as the Directorate of Accident Investigations at the Ministry of Transport and Communications attempt to piece together information that may provide answers to the accident.
A statement released by the Ministry this past week laden with the pilot’s version raised questions about whether the public will ever get to know the true facts about events of the fateful evening of Friday March 5, 2021.
“According to reports, on the day of occurrence, the Pilot-In-Command (PIC) who had taken-off from the Matsieng Airstrip in Rasesa experienced some problems after entering Xumabee Game Ranch in the Western Sandveld. The PIC in his report stated that on board the helicopter there were two (2) occupants (i.e. himself and the passenger). The PIC’s report indicated that he took-off a few minutes after 1800hrs from Matsieng Airstrip and that the flight to the Ranch is 45 minutes on average. The Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) states that the recommended maximum cruise speed for the R44 is 110 knots, which is approximately 204 km/h,” the statement said.
The statement said “according to reports” it took a while before the wreckage and victims were located by a search team of employees from the Xumabee Game Ranch where .the chopper was headed.
“It was reported that the passenger had sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Sojwe for medical attention. The PIC had also sustained some minor injuries,” the statement said before going on to a lengthy analysis of the wreckage, and appealing to the general public for information.
“The preliminary site investigation revealed that the helicopter’s tail rotor made first contact with a tree, apparently when the aircraft was flying in a slightly nose up configuration. From then on it went into a steady dive for approximately 25 meters before hitting the ground. It then moved along the ground and pulled the main boundary fence separating Xumabee Game Ranch from the adjacent Cattle Ranch, where the wreckage was found. The helicopter moved on ground for approximately 50 meters before coming to its final resting position. The main instrument panel and some structural components including the door frame were found along the skid marks trail at approximately 15 metres upstream of the main wreckage.”
To date the Ministry refuses to officially name the pilot. “He can decide to disclose his names to the media if approached,” the Ministry told Sunday Standard.
They said they had not yet established if the pilot may be liable to prosecution over the accident or whether any aviation regulations were broken. They also refused to divulge the number of witnesses interviewed. “The number of people so far interviewed cannot be disclosed. However, we are happy with the cooperation the investigation has received from those interviewed.”
The Civil Aviation Authority Botswana (CAAB) and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) were reportedly oblivious to the flight until after the accident. The transponder in the helicopter, Sunday Standard has learnt, was also switched off meaning the aircraft was not detectable by the ATC or CAAB.
Sunday Standard reported recently that early findings according to the Directorate of Accident Investigations suggest the damage to the aircraft passenger side may not be consistent with the fatal injuries suffered by the late musician. That while the damage on all the seats was not much different, the structural damages around the doors were more severe on the pilot side as compared to the passenger side where the deceased is alleged to have been seated.
