A day meant for celebration and new beginnings ended in unimaginable tragedy when Eugene Cussons (47) took off for what would be his last flight.

Eyewitnesses recalled hearing a chilling “Mayday” over the radio, something that seemed surreal for a pilot as experienced as Cussons. He died in a paramotor crash on Saturday while attending the opening of a new airfield at Hartbeespoort Dam.

ALSO READ: Beloved conservationist Eugene Cussons dies in Hartbeespoort

The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that Eugene departed on a local flight from The Coves, a private landing strip. About 10 minutes after take-off, the accident occurred.

Paramedics from Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene, but he had already succumbed to his injuries. The exact circumstances of the crash is still under investigation by the AIID.

His sudden death has shocked the Lowveld community. His devotion to wildlife conservation will live on in the African bushveld and skies he cherished.

The man behind Chimp Eden

Eugene was born on July 6, 1979 in Mbombela. He grew up on a family farm in the Umhloti Nature Reserve close to Chimp Eden. From a young age he learned about wildlife conservation through his father Gene, a well-known personality in the 4×4 community, especially with Land Rover experience.

After school Eugene studied Economics and Management Sciences at the University of Pretoria, later returning to the Lowveld to start a lodge business with his father. He eventually combined his love for the outdoors and business by building a safe place for chimpanzees, called Chimp Eden.

In 2006, in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute, Eugene opened his dream sanctuary. He worked as managing director until 2013 and rescued the majority of the chimps that still roam the sanctuary today. His daring rescues from war zones and trafficking networks were later documented in the Animal Planet series Escape to Chimp Eden, which premiered in 2008.

He became a familiar face on international talk shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where he spoke passionately about conservation.

Eugene loved educating people about conservation and environmental solutions. He founded Generation Now Africa, a youth-focused initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of conservationists, and consistently advocated for stronger measures against poaching and wildlife exploitation.

He continued educating through his YouTube series, The Eugene Cussons Podcast, where he discussed environmental issues and his career.

Paramotoring career

Eugene loved flying and was an experienced fixed-wing pilot before becoming a professional paramotor pilot. Inspired by watching a paramotor pilot flying above forest canopies, he realized it was a way to make aviation affordable and safe for parks in South Africa.

He partnered with Nirvana, a prominent powered paragliding company in the USA, to test and improve equipment. Together, they combined conservation and aviation. Eugene later founded Nirvana Africa, the only powered paragliding company in South Africa with a dedicated team undertaking anti-poaching missions for reserves such as the Kruger National Park.

Eugene competed in some of the toughest air races in the world, including the Icarus Trophy and Icarus X. He placed second in the 2018 Icarus Trophy, and often flew alongside his best friend Francois “Faf” Theron.

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Theron recalled: “Before his death he planned to break a few world records for the longest straight paramotor flight and many others. Together we flew 1 970 flights and 832 hours.”

As the Lowveld mourns his sudden passing, tributes continue to pour in on social media. Chimp Eden shared:

“He played a pivotal role in the establishment of Chimp Eden, a sanctuary managed and supported by the Jane Goodall Institute, which today stands as a lasting testament to his vision and dedication.”

His mother Marina said:

“Those who knew him well will also remember his sincere love for our Heavenly Father, a faith that quietly shaped his character, compassion and life’s work.”

Clayton Williams, his former flight instructor, added:

“For all his daring, Eugene was never hardened by danger. He remained hopeful where wiser men grow weary. And fittingly, perhaps terribly fittingly, the sky took him.”

A pilot’s final memory

Among the most poignant tributes came from fellow pilot Andries Erasmus, who shared his personal experience of Eugene’s last flight.

“I took this photo just minutes before your last touchdown in this lifetime – you will be missed, pella. You stood there in your spotless white t-shirt, like a Topgun maverick straight off an Omo advert, always ready to help someone with a wing or a motor. When we greeted, our hands popped like a bomb – nothing more satisfying than two bros pulling in close for a shoulder bump.”

Erasmus described the uneasy feeling when Eugene aborted his second launch, followed by relief when he took off effortlessly on the third attempt. Minutes later, the dreaded word “Mayday” echoed over the radio. Racing to the crash site, Erasmus recalled:

“I looked through the crowd, convinced I would see the invincible Eugene Cussons shaking off dust from his white t-shirt. Instead, I saw a man who lived a full life in the fast lane.”

He reflected on the lessons Eugene taught him and the symbolic image of that torn white shirt: “Not by the accident itself, but by people desperately trying everything they could to save your life. I will never put my boots on without thinking about you again.”

Erasmus concluded with resilience: “I will not stop flying. Because every time I got confronted with death, I got less scared of dying and more scared of not living.”

He emphasised that his account was a personal memory, not speculation about the cause of the accident.

ALSO READ: Jane Goodall rests in eternal Eden

Cussons leaves behind his wife Natasha, his daughter Hayley, his parents Gene and Marina, and his siblings. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 29 at 10:00 at Church Unlimited. A live stream will be available here for those unable to attend.