Two elderly people die in KZN airplane crash
The patients were assessed on the scene and declared deceased by a Netcare 911.
A pilot and a passenger have died after their light airplane crashed in Hilton, near Pietermaritzburg, on Saturday.
Netcare911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst said both elderly gentlemen had sustained fatal injuries.
“The patients were assessed on scene and declared deceased by a Netcare 911 Emergency Care Practitioner,” Herbst said. He said police closed off the scene to investigate further.
Kabelo Ledwaba, spokesperson at the South African Civil Aviation Authority said the accident and incident investigation division had dispatched investigators to start the process of gathering information that would assist in establishing the cause of the fatal aircraft accident.
“Initial reports indicate that the aircraft, with two persons onboard, crashed moments after takeoff, fatally injuring both occupants.”
The airplane was a light sports aircraft called Bushbaby.
Ledwaba said the Bushbaby had taken off from Eva’s field, an airstrip in Hilton, and was heading for Umkomaas airfield, which was situated on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
“The evidence collection phase, which has already begun, will continue onsite and will define the size and scope of the investigation as well as the anticipated timeframe for the completion of a final accident investigation report.”
He said It was vital to point out that investigations could take a bit of time to complete.
“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the investigating team will then immediately notify relevant parties so that appropriate action can be taken.”
Ledwaba said a preliminary report would be issued within 30 days from the day of this accident.
“In instances where an investigation takes longer than 12 months to complete, the investigation team is expected to issue an interim statement to indicate the progress made at that particular point in time.”
He said the completion of an investigation was marked by the release of a final accident report.
He said this report often contained safety recommendations aimed at improving the levels of aviation safety and the prevention of a similar accident.
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