News24 | Second missing KZN aircraft, body of pilot found

The second of two aircraft that disappeared in Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday has been found.

• Search and rescue teams have located the second of two light aircraft that disappeared in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
• The pilot was found dead.
• A Mayday call was issued by one of the aircraft before it disappeared.

The second of two aircraft that disappeared on Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday has been found.

The aircraft was found on Thursday morning, and its pilot was found dead.

The first aircraft was recovered on Wednesday evening, along with the body of its pilot.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the Aeronautical Search and Rescue Coordination Centre and the police’s Search and Rescue Unit had confirmed at around 07:20 that they had found the second aircraft.

“Unfortunately, the second pilot suffered fatal injuries. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the two pilots. We will allow the team to retrieve the bodies of the two pilots this morning,” he said.

“Importantly, we are encouraged that the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division Unit (AIID) has launched an investigation.”

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The South African Civil Aviation Authority’s (SACAA) AIID confirmed that the aircraft was found by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre in Boston.

“The pilot, who was the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured and the aircraft substantially damaged,” SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola.

“It is believed that both aircraft had departed in a loose formation from Secunda Airport in Mpumalanga en route to Margate Airport on the KZN South Coast. After they were reported missing in inclement weather, the ARCC immediately launched a search that led to the successful recovery of both aircraft.”

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According to Majola, a second team will join searchers on Thursday morning “to collate evidence that will form part of a preliminary report that will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the day of the accident”.

News24 previously reported that the alarm was raised after one of the aircraft issued a Mayday call to air traffic control.