South Africa’s aviation community is reeling after a string of recent air tragedies, with four plane crashes in October alone claiming the lives of three pilots across the country.
Two of the most recent incidents occurred in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, where two pilots died in separate light aircraft crashes near Nottingham Road and north of Boston.
INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said the department is committed to assisting the bereaved families and ensuring thorough investigations.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the two pilots who died when the two light aircraft crashed in Nottingham Road and north of Boston, respectively. We want to assist in whatever possible way to ease the burden on both families,” said Duma.
One of the deceased pilots was an Indian citizen, whose remains are expected to be repatriated.
According to the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), both aircraft had departed from Secunda Airport and were en route to Margate Regional Airport at the time of the accidents.
Duma added that the search and recovery operations were supported by a helicopter and drone, with teams clearing the crash sites and retrieving the bodies for formal identification and further investigation.
STRING OF PLANE CRASHES
The Aviation Safety Network (ASN) database indicates that 49 crashes have been recorded this year, resulting in 14 fatalities so far. Among the October fatalities was a Vulcan Aviation pilot who died on 10 October after a crash in Johannesburg. Another pilot onboard sustained severe injuries and remains in critical care.
In a statement, Vulcan Aviation expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and confirmed that both pilots held valid and current South African Private Pilot Licences. The company clarified that the flight was not a training flight, contrary to earlier reports.
“The circumstances surrounding the accident are currently under investigation by the Accident and Incident Investigation Department of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). We are cooperating fully to provide all information necessary. Until the outcome of the investigation is concluded, we are not in a position to assume the cause of the accident. We are supporting the families of the two pilots involved throughout this time,” the statement read.
This comes after another aviation tragedy in August when a light aircraft plummeted into the ocean during an airshow. The pilot, Andrew Blackwood-Murray, was reported missing after the incident, and his body was recovered in September.
