Robinson R44 crash near Germiston, South Africa

On April 26, 2008, about 0753 UTC, a Robinson R44, ZS-PWG, an aerial observation flight operated by National Airways Corporation, struck a hangar and collided with the ground during takeoff from Rand Aerodrome, Germiston, South Africa. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. The helicopter was on a local flight. The investigation is being conducted by the South Africa Civil Aviation Authority. The NTSB designated a U.S. Accredited Representative as the State of manufacture under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13. Please refer all questions about the accident to: Civil Aviation Authority Accidents and Incidents Investigation Division Private Bag X 73 Halfway House 1685 South Africa Website: http://www.caa.co.za