The damaged Oryx was serial 1228 of 19 Squadron. Photo: Deaan Vivier
POLOKWANE – A South African Air Force (SAAF) Oryx medium-transport helicopter was damaged after a hard landing during an Air Capability Demonstration on Tuesday, 18 September.
The Oryx was part of an SAAF Air Power Capability Demonstration held at the Roodewal Weapons Range outside Polokwane.
The purpose of the event was to invigorate the SAAF’s combat readiness and its role in peace support operations.
The Oryx had been operating as the lead helicopter of a flight of two and was landing to disembark troops. However, the helicopter landed hard, remaining upright and the troops exited the aircraft as planned.
The damaged tail boom became apparent once the dust and smoke had cleared.
Spokesperson for the SAAF, Col. Eugene Motati said there were no serious injuries and they refuse to enter into speculation but rather leave the matter to a full investigation.
Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard
