The two men who died in a plane crash outside Cullinan reportedly struck high-voltage power lines while attempting an emergency landing.

The engine of the plane carrying Lourens van Niekerk (27), a student pilot, and flight instructor Stephan le Roux allegedly failed.

They took off around 18:30 on Friday from Rhino Park Airfield in Pretoria East, heading in a northeastern direction. Van Niekerk was apparently working on his night rating. He reportedly dreamed of becoming a commercial pilot.

Dave Naude, the owner of Legend Sky Aviation flight school, which owns the aircraft, told the media the plane was supposed to land at Wonderboom, but the engine reportedly failed.

It was a training flight, and Van Niekerk already had his pilot’s license. His next step was to complete his night rating.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said preliminary investigations at the scene revealed that the aircraft had taken off from the Boschkop area.

He said the aircraft reportedly encountered technical difficulties, leading to a crash into a power substation during an attempted emergency landing.

“Members of the Cullinan SAPS were called to the scene of a fatal aircraft accident at a farm within the Cullinan policing precinct. Upon arrival, police found the aircraft engulfed in flames.”

Van Dyk said both the learner pilot and the instructor were declared deceased at the scene.

“An inquest docket has been opened, and the investigation will include collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority to establish the cause of this tragic incident.”

The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) chief Gregory Critchley said they mobilised resources from Gauteng to the aircraft’s last known position on Friday evening.

“The combined search and rescue units located the wreckage of the light aircraft in Cullinan, East of Pretoria, at approximately 20:40. The two occupants of the aircraft, a trainee and an instructor, were found to have suffered fatal injuries.”

He said the ARCC extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased.

” We would also wish to express our gratitude to all the search and rescue units for their swift deployments and professionalism in responding to this accident.”

Also read: Two lives lost tragically as aircraft crashes, shuts down power in Cullinan

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram