Penguin caused helicopter crash in South Africa, investigation finds

Incident occurred on January 19, 2025, after take-off from Bird Island. No one — not even the penguin — was injured.

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A loose penguin in a cardboard box was responsible for a helicopter crash in South Africa, according to a report released by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

The incident occurred on January 19, 2025, shortly after take-off from Bird Island in the Eastern Cape.

The flight, which was conducting an aerial survey of the island, had completed its mission and was preparing to return.

After landing, a specialist requested the penguin be transported back to Port Elizabeth. The bird was placed in a cardboard box on the lap of a passenger, but during take-off, the penguin slid off and struck the helicopter’s controls.

As the penguin’s box slid off the passenger's lap, it knocked the cyclic pitch control lever to the far-right position. This caused the helicopter to roll uncontrollably.

The pilot struggled to regain control, but the main rotor blades struck the ground, leading to the crash. The helicopter, which was about 15 metres (50 feet) above the ground at the time, crashed onto its starboard side approximately 20 metres from the point of lift-off.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash, including the penguin, which was unharmed. The South African Civil Aviation Authority’s investigation pointed out that the failure to secure the penguin properly, as per aviation safety regulations, contributed directly to the dangerous situation.

The lack of secure containment made it possible for the bird to knock the controls, ultimately resulting in the crash.

The report also emphasised that proper risk assessment should have been conducted before the flight, and the penguin should have been securely contained.

The authorities underscored the importance of following established safety protocols, including securing cargo, to prevent accidents in future flights.

Despite the substantial damage to the helicopter, the incident did not result in any casualties.

However, the South African Civil Aviation Authority has called for more stringent adherence to safety procedures during flights involving non-human cargo.