Aged just eight and 15, the two daughters were accompanied by friends (other children) and parents at the airfield yesterday afternoon, all of whom watched the tragic catastrophe unfold before their eyes.

The Middelburg Observer spoke to Quentin’s father, Raymond Steyn, who told the paper that his son was giving rides to everyone in attendance.

ALSO READ: Middelburg Airfield plane crash – Victims identified

According to Raymond, for the last ride of the day, Quentin took along his wife, Lezette, as a passenger.

In an attempt to execute a ‘fly-by’, Quentin took his Rans S-10 Sakota near to the ground and then attempted to twirl the plane to excite the crowd of onlookers.

It is then alleged that a wing of the plane grazed the terrain, causing the single-engine aircraft to smash into the ground.

ALSO READ: WARNING: SHOCKING CONTENT – Images & video of the aircraft crash wreckage that claimed 2 lives

The plane then caught on fire, charring the aerial vehicle and the two individuals on board.

Raymond stated that his son was an experienced commercial and agricultural pilot with over 6 000 flying hours logged, leaving the family to believe that the incident was completely accidental.

• In a statement released by the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID), Quentin and Lezette were ‘declared dead by Emergency Services on arrival’.

• The AIID was on site this morning to collate evidence that will form part of a preliminary report that will be published on the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s website in 30 days.

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