Fourth man involved in aircraft crash passes on

“He was our last hope,” brother cried after cadet pilot's death following a light aircraft crash in eMalahleni.

Octorian Keitsheng Mashilane (40) died on Tuesday, April 30.

The fourth man who was involved in a light aircraft that crashed outside a local mine recently passed on.

Octorian Keitsheng (40) died on Tuesday, April 30.

He was the only survivor of the tragic crash that killed three young cadet pilots on Sunday, April 21.
The Cessna 172 of the Kishugu Aviation Training Organisation crashed shortly after take-off from Witbank Airfield.

Mashilane was admitted to Witbank Provincial Hospital and spent five days in casualty before being transferred to ICU.
The aspiring cadet pilot suffered severe burn wounds after the light aircraft burst into flames.

Mashilane’s landlord, Yvonne Combrink, broke down in tears over the passing of her tenant, “He was the perfect tenant, I never had any issues with him. He helped around our home and never complained ever.”

She also said that she wished he had been transferred to a better hospital that was well-equipped to deal with the severity of his burns.

She said she visited him on Sunday, April 28, and he was responding well.“But, his wounds became infected and his liver was badly damaged. I guess that was too much for his body.”

Combrink said that she will miss Mashilane’s smile, although after the crash he was unrecognisable, “I could not see his smile anymore after the accident. He was so badly burned and it broke my heart seeing him in that state. I am heartbroken.”

During an exclusive interview on Thursday, May 2 Mashilane’s brother, Topic Mashilane, was still very traumatised and said that he does not have much to say other than the fact that his brother’s passing deeply saddens him.

“He was our last hope. We prayed and had hoped for his recovery,” Mashilane cried.

Themba Maebela (34) and Donald Malekutu (29), both Kishugu Aviation Training Organisation cadet pilots based in Mbombela, were among the deceased. They were burned beyond recognition.

Mr Ronny Nkambule, Maebela’s grandfather said commemoration services were held for Themba and one other cadet.

“They will be buried in the same village,” Nkambule ended.The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Division confirmed that they are investigating the crash.

Local news | Fourth aircraft crash victim dies in hospital
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— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) May 2, 2024