An "unsecured" penguin in a cardboard box caused a helicopter to crash in South Africa after the pilot lost control, a report has found.
The penguin, which was on the lap of a passenger inside the box, slid off and knocked the pilot’s controls shortly after take-off.
The helicopter was around15m (50 feet) above the ground when it was travelling from Bird Island off the Eastern Cape.
The impact sent the R44 helicopter crashing to the ground.
However, fortunately no-one on board, including the penguin, was hurt, the South African Civil Aviation Authority said.
The impact sent the Robinson R-44 helicopter crashing to the ground. Picture: South African Aviation Authority
According to the report, the flight had been conducting an aerial survey of the island in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province.
The authority said "the lack of secure containment for the penguin" was responsible for creating the "dangerous situation" causing the aircraft roll.
The report determined the main rotor blades then struck the ground and the helicopter ultimately crashed on its starboard side approximately 20m from the point of lift-off.
The report did not say why they had picked up the penguin.
The aviation authority said the pilot conducted a "risk assessment" but omitted to include the transport of the penguin on board which "was not in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011".
The report determined the "absence of a proper, secured crate meant that the penguin’s containment was not suitable for the flight conditions".
Bird island, Lambert’s Bay, South Africa. Picture: Alamy
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