A Kishugu Aviation firefighting helicopter was involved in a serious accident early on Wednesday evening, March 25, while battling a blaze in Table Mountain National Park.

According to Kishugu Aviation spokesperson Linton Rensburg, the helicopter was engaged in firefighting operations when the crash occurred. The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft at the time.

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“The pilot managed to self-extricate from the wreckage. He was immediately attended to by on-site paramedics before being transported to a nearby hospital for a full medical evaluation. We cannot confirm the extent of his injuries at this stage, but he is alive and receiving the necessary medical attention,” Rensburg said.

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He added that the aircraft forms part of the specialised Kishugu Aviation fleet, which operates in the Western Cape during the high-risk summer fire season and transitions to the northern provinces for the winter fire season.

Kishugu Aviation has confirmed that it will be working closely with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to determine the factors that led to the crash.

SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola confirmed that the Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID) has been formally notified of the incident.

“An investigation team has been dispatched to the site to begin the process of evidence collection and to secure the wreckage. The SACAA also urges members of the public and the aviation community to avoid speculation until the AIID has had the opportunity to conclude its initial findings,” Majola said.