 (1).png){kind=spacer}
1 day ago
2
Emergency services and rescue teams respond to the scene of a light aircraft crash that occurred at Suncoast Beach in Durban on Thursday.
- A light aircraft crashed into the ocean off the Durban coast on Thursday afternoon.
- Authorities are still looking for the pilot, believed to be the sole occupant.
- The SA Civil Aviation Authority said the aerobatic aircraft was part of an airshow.
Rescue teams were trying to locate the pilot of an aircraft that crashed into the sea off Suncoast Beach near central Durban on Thursday afternoon.
The aerobatic aircraft, ZS-AEC Extra 300, was part of an airshow at North Beach and was performing its final display when it crashed at around 13:45, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said.
Teams from the Metro Police Department’s search-and-rescue team, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) have been combing the shoreline since the crash, joined by paramedics, the fire department, and other emergency services.
Search crews were seen retrieving debris from the wreckage, including parts of the fuselage and the aircraft’s wheel.
High tide had hampered efforts to recover the pilot’s body and additional parts of the plane, forcing the search to extend beyond the crash site.
The NSRI said the 61-year-old male solo pilot from Johannesburg remained missing.
“All thoughts, care, and compassion are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time,” said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.
A light aircraft crashed into the ocean off Suncoast Beach near central Durban during an airshow on Thursday afternoon.
A light aircraft crashed into the ocean off Suncoast Beach near central Durban during an airshow on Thursday afternoon.
In video footage circulating on social media, smoke is seen coming from the aircraft, which appears to spiral downward before plunging into the water.
Eyewitnesses described the moment of the accident as sudden and shocking.
“It was packed here, and there were school children as well who were here to witness the show,” one witness told News24.
“The airplane swung as normal in the air and everyone was excited. All of a sudden, it swung a bit too fast - we thought it was part of the show. But when it went down towards the water, people started shouting, and then it crashed.”
Beachgoer Samkelo Ndidi, who attended the event with his partner, said the crash changed the mood instantly.
“It’s so sad, man. There are children that saw this crash. This initiative, as part of the summit, was meant to encourage high school learners to choose aviation as a career. Now, I’m sure they’ll be a bit shaken.”
The airshow, which had drawn large crowds to the beachfront, was brought to a halt following the accident.
The airshow was part of a display for the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Summit.
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality confirms the closure of Battery Beach after an aircraft crash during the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit airshow. Emergency teams are on site.
Supplied/eThekwini Municipality
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality confirms the closure of Battery Beach after an aircraft crash during the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit airshow. Emergency teams are on site. Public safety remains the City’s top priority.
The summit was opened on Tuesday at the Durban International Convention Centre where Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Sboniso Duma, and other aviation leaders were in attendance.
The third annual global summit - hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a United Nations specialised agency, and SACAA - brings together global aviation leaders.
Duma arrived at the scene to assess the situation.
Authorities are expected to release further details once the search operation concludes.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with further information from the scene and authorities.
