Firefighting helicopter crashes during wildfire operations in Hout Bay, South Africa
A firefighting helicopter crashed above Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, on March 25, 2026, during active wildfire suppression operations. The crash disrupted aerial firefighting efforts in an area experiencing seasonal fire conditions, prompting an investigation by South African National Parks (SANParks).
A firefighting helicopter crashed above Hout Bay on March 25 while assisting in the suppression of wildfires in Hout Bay, Cape Town.
The yellow Huey helicopter was water-bombing a wildfire that ignited in the Table Mountain National Park on March 24. The fire had burned approximately 160 ha (395 acres) of land between Hout Bay and Constantia Nek at the time of the crash, requiring emergency assistance.
The pilot survived the crash and was swiftly rescued by emergency teams in the area before being transported to a nearby hospital. South African National Parks (SANParks) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Videos recorded by nearby civilians show the helicopter nearing the mountain before getting clipped by the mountainside, causing it to lose its motor before it flipped over and crashed down the slope.
The crash caused disruptions in the firefighting efforts, as the terrain is difficult to access on the ground, requiring the use of aerial assets to suppress the fires.
The incident occurred during ongoing wildfire activity in the region, where late-season conditions continue to support fire spread. March corresponds to the latter part of the peak fire season in the Western Cape.
Feature image credit: Kishugu Aviation
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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