The Ministry of Transport and Communications has released a press release concerning the helicopter crash that killed Sasa Klaas, but the public is not at all convinced. The public is furious as they feel the report is vague.
The crash happened on the Friday the 5th of March 2021 at at Xumabee Game Ranch in the Western Sand Veld- Sojwe. According to the reports the crash happened around 1900hrs and help came at around 0100hrs. Sasa was then certified dead at 0200hrs at Sojwe clinic.
Below is a summary of the preliminary findings according to the release by the Ministry of Transport and Communications;
Robinson R44, Raven II registration ZS-SBM belonged to Aircraft Asset Finance Corporation.
Pilot-In-Charge (PIC) took off from Matsieng Airstrip in Rasesa a few minutes after 1800hrs.
The helicopter experienced some problems after entering Xumabee Game Ranch- PIC
Helicopter’s tail rotor made first contact with a tree, when the aircraft was flying in a slightly nose-up configuration.
Went into a steady dive for approximately 25 metres before hitting the ground.
Hit the root of a shrub with its port (left-hand side) corner and capsized.
The helicopter moved on ground for approximately 50 metres before coming to its final resting position.
The helicopter then landed over and to the left of the shrub lying on its port side and facing the direction it had come from.
Some components of the helicopter were found within 15 meters radius of where the accident happened.
Commenting on the findings Batswana were not at all impressed. Even though there are a very few who appreciate the Ministry’s efforts, majority are not convinced. They feel the report does not answer questions that are important and critical- the questions that have been asked from the onset. Below are some of the comments;
“Nyaa betsho [No guys].. this to me is a fallacy… If the rotors hit the tree how tall was the tree? Was it more than 25 meters or is there more to the detailed story line. Gape [and] why is the ministry being the one reporting on the investigation not the CAAB [Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana]. Anyone ke tlaa reng [what can we say]”
“If only the trees could speak..they are the only ones who can tell the truth about this crash..the essay was not necessary because its already what we know..why didnt the pilot report the accident?Why is he not being charged for flying without due care and attention?Causing death by wreckless flying?Fleeing from an accident scene as well..koore go depotso tse dentse [there are many questions]”
“Ga gona [there is no] preliminary findings tsa sepe [at all]. Le tswa go interviewa pilot go tswa hoo le bo lere ke preliminary findings ka se se diragetseng [You have just interviewed the pilot then they say it’s preliminary findings]. Who have been assigned to do investigation?, and by who ? Tell us the terms of reference that need to be followed on issues surrounding the chopper that crashed and claimed the life of Sasa.”
Are you satisfied with the preliminary findings? Do you feel they are satisfactory, if not what do you feel could have been covered?
