R44 down. Heilbron - Koppies Area

Rotorhead · Unread post by **Rotorhead** » Fri May 19, 2017 10:47 pm

Heard from a friend that a R44 went down in the Heilbron - Koppies area this afternoon.
2 fatalities, 2 injured.
Does anyone have info on this?
Condolenses to the families and friends with the tragic loss of their loved ones.

Free State Flyer · Unread post by **Free State Flyer** » Fri May 19, 2017 11:12 pm

Douw Wentzel from Vrede (RIP)
His son Douw Jr. had bad femur fracture
2 fatalities and 2 injured

crazydoc · Unread post by **crazydoc** » Sat May 20, 2017 6:52 am

So sad. Passengers son other fatality. Condolences to families. Heard it was at 19 h00. Not sure.

Rotor kop · Unread post by **Rotor kop** » Sat May 20, 2017 7:21 am

Any idea what caused it? Any pics please?

cage · Unread post by **cage** » Sat May 20, 2017 8:28 am

Night flight?

Tango Romeo · Unread post by **Tango Romeo** » Sat May 20, 2017 10:09 am

cage wrote:Night flight?

Not!

Unread post by **Ray W** » Sat May 20, 2017 10:12 am

Any more details on this one ?

paulw · Unread post by **paulw** » Sat May 20, 2017 10:21 am

http://maroelamedia.co.za/nuus/sa-nuus/ ... neerstort/

87Juliet · Unread post by **87Juliet** » Sat May 20, 2017 10:36 am

Anyone know what the reg of the R44 was?

Tim · Unread post by **Tim** » Sat May 20, 2017 10:36 am

Two deaths when a helicopter crashes in the Free State

May 20, 2017
Marula editors

Douw Wentzel sr. What died in the helicopter accident (Photo: Facebook)

A farmer's farm district and another farmer's son died on Friday when a helicopter crashed in Heilbron.

The two farmers and their sons were returning home from the Nampo Harvest Day on Bothaville in the Free State when the accident occurred.

"Workers from the farm Brakpan in Heilbron saw how the helicopter crashed around 17:30," said Brig. Sam Makhele, spokesperson for the police, told Maroela Media.

Maroela Media hears the two farmers were Douw Wentzel and Louw Deale, both of Vrede district, who flew into the helicopter. Douw's son, Douw Jr., and Louw's son, Andre, were in the crash with them.

Douw and Andre died during the accident. Douw Jr. (14) and Louw (49) survived the accident.

"One of the men and one of the boys was taken to the local hospital in Heilbron in a critical condition before being transferred to the Union Hospital in Alberton," Makhele added. Maroela understands their condition is critical but stable.

Wilgeriv High School confirmed on social media Douw Jr., a Grade 9 student at the school, was seriously injured. "We ask that you bear the family in your prayers."

NG Church Frankfort also expressed their sympathy with the Wentzel family with the death of Douw sr. And to the Deale family with the death of Andre.

Douw Wentzel jr. He survived the helicopter accident during which his father died (Photo: Wilgerivier High School, Facebook)
Douw Wentzel sr. What died in the helicopter accident (Photo: Facebook)
The accident scene Photo: ER24

cage · Unread post by **cage** » Sat May 20, 2017 10:49 am

17:30 would be just after sunset?
Contributing factor?

Manya Biemans · Unread post by **Manya Biemans** » Sat May 20, 2017 11:37 am

Andre Deale Son. Fatality.
Pilot. Douw Wentzel. Fatality.
Father critical.
Pray please

rotatetwo12 · Unread post by **rotatetwo12** » Sat May 20, 2017 11:49 am

Deepest condolences. RIP Douglas.

rotatetwo12 · Unread post by **rotatetwo12** » Sat May 20, 2017 11:53 am

Deepest condolences. RIP Dou.

CWS · Unread post by **CWS** » Sat May 20, 2017 12:16 pm

cage wrote:17:30 would be just after sunset?
Contributing factor?

Sunset at Welkom today is 17.29 so spot on. They were flying away from the sun, assuming flying from Nampo, home to Vrede. My map shows Nampo on the left the rough accident area( between Koppie & Heilbron) in the middle & Vrede on the right. They still had about 70-80Nm to run so were about 45minutes from destination, assuming a 100Kn cruise, so were definitely intending to do some night flying.

Nampo to Vrede.jpg