Chopper pilot dies fighting wildfire
THE pilot killed when his helicopter crashed while fighting the wildfire at Cape Point yesterday was one of South Africa’s top helicopter pilots, having flown more than 10 000 hours.
Hendrik Willem “Bees” Marais, described as a “legendary” pilot, was killed while trying to make a forced landing in the Olifantsbos area of Cape Point. He was with a Working on Fire team of chopper pilots that spent last week waterbombing fires that swept across the peninsula.
Marais, from Blouberg, a 1968 University of Pretoria graduate, had clocked 10 813 flying hours in both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, including Harvards, Pumas, Super Frelons and Hueys. He was the pilot in command for 9 422 of those hours.
Police and SANParks security closed all the routes to yesterday’s crash scene and only emergency vehicles were allowed access.
Police spokesman FC van Wyk said an inquest docket had been opened.
It is not yet known what caused the crash, but unconfirmed reports are that Marais’ helicopter picked up water, then suddenly experienced a rapid loss of lift and dropped.
Working on Fire spokesperson Evelyn Holtzhauzen said Marais was killed “when his Huey helicopter was grounded in a forced landing
at about 11.30am”.
“The incident happened near Olifantsbos on the western side of the reserve.”
Marais’ helicopter was part of a team of three choppers and a spotter plane fighting the Cape Point fire.
Sources said after Marais’ aircraft crash-landed, one of the other pilots landed and ran to help Marais. The pilot got Marais out of the aircraft, but it appeared that he had died on impact. Marais’ death is the first fatality in the recent fires.
Marais has flown in many rescue missions, including doing flood relief in the Congo and the devastating 2000 floods in Mozambique.
He has flown for the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service in Cape Town, done firefighting in Spain, emergency service for Johannesburg General Hospital and flew Civair helicopters offshore of Luderitz. Marais has also flown Titan helicopters in the Antarctic.
Environment Minister Edna Molewa said yesterday she announced Marais’ death “with great sadness”.
“We have all become starkly aware of the tremendous dedication and skills these pilots display. Mr Marais was one of the pilots lauded for exceptional work. As a nation we salute the bravery and service of these dedicated firefighters and mourn the loss of Mr Marais in the course of duty.”
Mayor Patricia de Lille said the public safety and aviation fraternity had lost a great pilot. “We salute him and pay tribute to him for the contribution that he made in saving lives and protecting property,” she said.