Lowvelder can confirm that the missing Cessna 206 aircraft piloted by Johann Marx has been located in remote terrain near Barberton. Tragically, Marx has been declared deceased at the scene.

The aircraft disappeared on Thursday while en route from King Mswati III International Airport to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, prompting a multi-agency search co-ordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC).

Aerial teams from Leading Edge Aviation, Netcare HEMS and Fidelity Security Services joined ground SAR units once weather conditions allowed safe flight.

The breakthrough came this morning when wreckage was spotted in one of the designated search zones.

The accident scene has since been handed over to SAPS and the Civil Aviation Authority for further investigation.

Our journalist Gia Radnai is at the scene with SAPS and rescue teams. While signal in the area is poor, we are gathering verified information, visuals, and interviews as best we can.

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*This article was updated after publishing to include Leading Edge Aviation as a contributor to helicopter search operations.