By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
One person has been confirmed dead after the first of two aircraft reported missing was found in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands.
Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre’s (ARCC) Gregory Critchley says “One of the search and rescue teams has confirmed finding one of the missing aircraft in the primary search area west of Howick, where the pilot and sole occupant was found to have suffered fatal injuries.”
Critchley says the search for the second aircraft believed to have one person on board continues.
The ARCC received a call at the air traffic control centre and a search was immediately mounted.
However, efforts are being hindered by traffic congestion and poor visibility, making it challenging for rescue teams to reach the potential crash site.
Critchley added that the search operation was being led by the SAPS search and rescue team, assisted by SARZA KZN, Mountain SAR, HAMNET, K9SARA, Midlands EMS, IPSS Search and Rescue, Freddies Fire Services and Clandestine Drone Operations.
Any sightings of the aircraft or information should be relayed to the centre on +27635054164 or +27635055485 immediately.
Last month, a body believed to be that of missing 61 year-old pilot Andrew Blackwoosd-Murray was discovered on Durban’s beachfront, nearly a month after his light aircraft plunged into the ocean during an air show off the Durban coastline.
The SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) preliminary report noted that the Extra EA-300L aircraft flown by Blackwood-Murray had been airworthy.
The SACAA has classified the crash as an accident and launched a full investigation. Officials have appointed investigators to lead the probe, while German authorities — the aircraft’s state of design and manufacture — declined to send representatives.