Grade 11 pilot wanted to see the world

Rekord spoke to her mother, Rika, on Thursday.

“Anika wanted to travel and see the world as a commercial pilot flying a Boeing,” said Rika.

“There is a world map in Anika’s room, for when that day came, she would know every corner of the earth.

“She had a passion for flying. Being in the air was one of her biggest dreams.”

A tearful Rika said Anika would, from an early age, immediately jump up and run outside when she heard a plane.

“She was the joy in our lives, our red-haired little pilot.”

She added that Anika even wanted a tattoo to symbolise her love for flying.

“Anika recently spent quite a lot of her time on social media looking for tattoo ideas of aircrafts.”

Anika would have celebrated her 17th birthday on Saturday but instead her family is preparing for her funeral on Saturday.

“Our hearts are shattered – a piece has been taken away from us. Anika was our everything,” said Rika.

She added that Anika was her best friend and the best hunting buddy for her dad, Andries.

Rika said Anika was popular and had a lot of friends.

“She always had a smile on her face and when she tackled a new challenge, Anika never gave up.”

On Thursday the grade 11 learners and matriculants of the Hoërskool Montana were given the opportunity to decorate a tree of remembrance for Anika on the school’s premises.

The learners were expected to wear their full school uniform today.

A letter ‘We will miss you, Anika. Rest in peace’ was put against the tree.

“It is a difficult time for the family and friends, and especially for the Montie-family,” said principal Sakkie Jacobs.

Learners put flowers, boxes of memories and photos of Anika and her friends underneath the tree.

As soon everyone was settled in, Jacbos made an announcement via the intercom and read a piece from the Bible.

“The school was given a moment of silence – not to mourn, but rather to celebrate her life,” said Jacobs.

The Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID) confirmed on Wednesday that an investigation was underway.

AIID spokesperson Kabelo Ledwaba said a preliminary report will be issued within 30 days of the accident.

Anika was flying a Piper Cherokee 28A-180 when it crashed in the veld behind the main campus of the Onderstepoort veterinary academic hospital.

Ledwaba said Anika was undertaking a training flight when the accident happened.

“The aircraft had taken off from Wonderboom airport and was supposed to land at the same airport again.”

Ledwaba said the evidence collection phase has begun.

“This phase will define the size and scope of the investigation as well as the anticipated timeframe for the completion of a final report.

INITIAL ARTICLE: Pilot dies in Pretoria plane crash