Recovery efforts for missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray continue in Durban
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
The search and recovery operation for missing South African Airways (SAA) and aerobatic pilot, Andrew Blackwood-Murray, 61, from Johannesburg, is ongoing along Durban's North Coast with no new developments reported as of Sunday.
Police divers are leading the search, utilising advanced technology, and current weather and sea conditions have not hampered efforts.
The incident occurred on Thursday, when Blackwood-Murray's ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft, performing its final display, crashed into the sea off Durban.
Paramedics are on the beach together with SAPS and Metro Police Search and Rescue as well as NSRI trying to locate the missing pilot.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers
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The crash happened near Suncoast Beach/Casino and Durban North Beach.
The pilot was participating in an airshow linked to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit 2025, an annual global meeting organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
The summit was hosted at both the Durban International Convention Centre and Virginia Airport.
Emergency services quickly responded to the scene after people reported seeing the plane crash into the ocean.
Parts of the aircraft wreckage have since been recovered.
Following the incident, the eThekwini Municipality temporarily closed Battery Beach to residents and visitors, emphasising public safety and urging beachgoers to avoid the area while operations are underway.
Family, friends, and colleagues of the missing man are being cared for, supported, and receive regular briefings during this difficult time.
A tremendous outpouring of support and compassion from the aviation community, the public, and all involved has been commended.
Tributes have been pouring in for Blackwood-Murray, with many describing him as a "world-class pilot and true gentleman".
The search continues for missing pilot, Andrew Blackwood-Murray.
Image: Facebook/Andrew Blackwood-Murray
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, visited the crash scene and was briefed by the Director of the SA Civil Aviation Authority, Ms. Poppy Khoza, who affirmed that AIID has taken over to conduct an extensive investigation into the accident's causes.
Authorities are appealing to the public and the maritime community to report any findings of debris that may be related to the light aircraft accident along the Durban shoreline or at sea.
Findings can be reported to the Police at 10111, to the NSRI EOC at 0870949774, or on marine VHF radio to Durban Radio (Telkom Maritime Radio Services) or Durban Port Control, to support the AIID and Police investigation.
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The Citizen
7 minutes ago
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Missing pilot: Sea rescue institute appeals to public to report found plane debris
There are no new developments in the ongoing search for missing aerobatic pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray off Durban's central coastline. Berea Mail reports that Blackwood-Murray's plane crashed during an aerial display near Suncoast beach on Thursday. He is from Johannesburg. The spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Craig Lambinon, said: 'We are appealing to the public and the maritime community to report any findings of debris – that may be related to the light aircraft accident, along the Durban shoreline and at sea – to police at 10111, to NSRI EOC [Emergency Operations Centre] at 087 094 9774 or on marine VHF radio to Durban Radio (Telkom Maritime Radio Services) or Durban Port Control, so that any findings can be recovered to support the Accident and Incident Investigation Division and the police investigation into the catastrophic incident.' He continued: 'Advanced technology and advanced search technology continues to be deployed in the search. Weather and sea conditions have not been a factor and have not hampered ongoing search efforts.' The search is being led by police divers supported by aviation and aeronautical authorities. Other services involved include NSRI Durban and NSRI Umhlanga, SAPS, the Police Air Wing, police communications, the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Transnet National Ports Authority, Port of Durban Port Control, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, the South African Navy, eThekwini Municipal authorities, eThekwini Metro Police and Metro Police Search and Rescue, eThekwini lifeguards, and is assisted by EC Government Health EMS, Government Health Forensic Pathology Services, Netcare 911 ambulance services and Red Line Response ambulance services. Watch the video of the crash: Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The South African
a day ago
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The search and recovery operation for missing SAA and aerobatic pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray continues along Durban's North Coast, with no new developments reported, according to a NSRI statement on Sunday morning. Blackwood-Murray, 61, went missing after a light aircraft crash during an aerobatic display last week at the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit near Suncoast Beach, Durban. Despite intensive efforts, his body has yet to be found. Police Search and Rescue divers are leading the operation, supported by a multi-agency coalition including: NSRI Durban and Umhlanga SA Navy and SAPS Air Wing Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID) Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) eThekwini lifeguards, Metro Police, and EMS Authorities report that favourable weather and sea conditions have allowed uninterrupted search efforts, with advanced search technologies being deployed on land and sea. Officials are appealing to the public and maritime community to report any potential debris from the wreckage. Findings can be reported via: Police emergency: 10111 NSRI Emergency Operations Centre: 087 094 9774 Marine VHF radio to Durban Radio or Durban Port Control These findings may assist ongoing investigations being conducted by the AIID and police into the cause of the crash. Authorities have confirmed that the family, friends, and colleagues of Blackwood-Murray are receiving continuous support and regular briefings during this difficult time. The aviation community and general public have shown strong solidarity, with many laying flowers at Battery Beach and paying tribute to the veteran pilot, described by colleagues as a 'world-class aviator and true gentleman.' Post your condolences below, by … ? Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
a day ago
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Recovery efforts for missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray continue in Durban
Search for missing pilot continues. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers The search and recovery operation for missing South African Airways (SAA) and aerobatic pilot, Andrew Blackwood-Murray, 61, from Johannesburg, is ongoing along Durban's North Coast with no new developments reported as of Sunday. Police divers are leading the search, utilising advanced technology, and current weather and sea conditions have not hampered efforts. The incident occurred on Thursday, when Blackwood-Murray's ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft, performing its final display, crashed into the sea off Durban. Paramedics are on the beach together with SAPS and Metro Police Search and Rescue as well as NSRI trying to locate the missing pilot. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The crash happened near Suncoast Beach/Casino and Durban North Beach. The pilot was participating in an airshow linked to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit 2025, an annual global meeting organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The summit was hosted at both the Durban International Convention Centre and Virginia Airport. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene after people reported seeing the plane crash into the ocean. Parts of the aircraft wreckage have since been recovered. Following the incident, the eThekwini Municipality temporarily closed Battery Beach to residents and visitors, emphasising public safety and urging beachgoers to avoid the area while operations are underway. Family, friends, and colleagues of the missing man are being cared for, supported, and receive regular briefings during this difficult time. A tremendous outpouring of support and compassion from the aviation community, the public, and all involved has been commended. Tributes have been pouring in for Blackwood-Murray, with many describing him as a "world-class pilot and true gentleman". The search continues for missing pilot, Andrew Blackwood-Murray. Image: Facebook/Andrew Blackwood-Murray KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, visited the crash scene and was briefed by the Director of the SA Civil Aviation Authority, Ms. Poppy Khoza, who affirmed that AIID has taken over to conduct an extensive investigation into the accident's causes. Authorities are appealing to the public and the maritime community to report any findings of debris that may be related to the light aircraft accident along the Durban shoreline or at sea. Findings can be reported to the Police at 10111, to the NSRI EOC at 0870949774, or on marine VHF radio to Durban Radio (Telkom Maritime Radio Services) or Durban Port Control, to support the AIID and Police investigation.
