2nd missing plane found near Howick, pilot was also confirmed dead
Search teams located the wreckage of a second light aircraft early this morning, bringing a tragic end to rescue efforts after two aircraft vanished in misty mountain conditions.
The second plane that went missing in the KZN Midlands yesterday has been found, and the pilot has been confirmed dead.
The KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, confirmed this in a statement issued this morning, stating that he had received a report from experts at the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC).
“Around 07:20, we got a report from the ARCC and the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit indicating that they have found the second aircraft.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the two pilots.”
He added that the bodies would be retrieved this morning.
Last night, the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID) issued a statement, saying that the first aircraft found was a Sling (ZU-PBC). It was on a private flight that had departed from Secunda Airport in Mpumalanga and was en route to Margate Airport in KZN, with one pilot on board. The pilot did not survive the crash.
Gregory Critchley, chief of operations at the ARCC, said one of the search-and-rescue teams had found the missing aircraft in the primary search area, west of Howick.
The AIID will publish a report within 30 days.
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