Eastern Cape, South Africa – April, 2025: A routine helicopter flight ended in a crash on Bird Island earlier this year due to an unexpected passenger—a penguin in a cardboard box, according to a newly released report by South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority.
The bizarre accident occurred on January 19, shortly after takeoff from Bird Island, located off the coast of the Eastern Cape near Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). The helicopter had just completed an aerial survey of the island when a request was made to transport a penguin back to the mainland.
Instead of being secured in a designated container, the penguin was placed inside a cardboard box and kept on the lap of a passenger—a specialist on the flight. As the helicopter climbed to about 15 meters (50 feet), the box slid off the passenger’s lap and struck the cyclic control lever, causing a sudden and uncontrollable roll to the right.
The main rotor blades hit the ground moments later, and the aircraft crashed onto its starboard side, landing just 20 meters from where it had taken off. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. All occupants—including the penguin—escaped unharmed, though the helicopter suffered significant damage.
The Civil Aviation Authority’s investigation found the cause to be “the lack of secure containment for the penguin”, which created a “dangerous situation” and contributed directly to the crash. The pilot had reportedly conducted a risk assessment before takeoff but failed to factor in the presence and improper securing of the animal, which was deemed a violation of Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011.
The report highlights a critical lapse in aviation safety protocol and underscores the importance of proper animal transport procedures aboard aircraft.
While the penguin remains uninjured and has since become the subject of viral fascination, aviation officials hope the incident serves as a cautionary tale.
“Transporting wildlife must be done with strict adherence to safety protocols,” the report concluded. “This incident, although free of casualties, could have had far more serious consequences.”