The reason behind a helicopter crash that occurred in South Africa in January has been determined. It was found that the crash was caused by a penguin being unlawfully taken into the cabin of the helicopter.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) released a report on the helicopter crash that happened in the Eastern Cape province. According to the report, the accident occurred due to the penguin being taken into the cabin unlawfully, in violation of flight regulations. The penguin, carried in a box held by a researcher sitting in the front seat, tried to escape from the box during takeoff. The box, which fell onto the control panel in front of the pilot, caused the helicopter, which was only 15 meters in the air, to sharply tilt to the right.

FELL 20 METERS FROM TAKEOFF POINT As a result of the pilot losing control, the helicopter fell 20 meters from the takeoff point, causing severe damage, but there were no fatalities or injuries, including the penguin, in the crash. The report indicated that the pilot neglected flight regulations regarding securing and keeping the penguin in a safe and stable box, stating, “This accident emphasizes the importance of adhering to established safety protocols and aviation security procedures.”