Lowvelder can confirm that the missing Cessna 206 piloted by Johann Marx has been located in remote terrain near Barberton. Tragically, Marx has been declared deceased at the scene.

According to Lowvelder, the aircraft disappeared on Thursday while en route from King Mswati III International Airport to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, prompting a multi-agency search co-ordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre. Aerial teams from Leading Edge Aviation, Netcare HEMS and Fidelity Security Services joined ground search-and-rescue units once weather conditions allowed safe flight.

The breakthrough came this morning when wreckage was spotted in one of the designated search zones.

The accident scene has since been handed over to SAPS and the Civil Aviation Authority for further investigation.

Lowvelder journalist Gia Radnai is at the scene with SAPS and rescue teams. While signal in the area is poor, she is gathering verified information, visuals and interviews as best she can.

*The article has been amended since it was first published to reflect that Leading Edge Aviation was involved in the search and not Kishugu Aviation as initially reported.

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