Missing plane update: Air search and rescue grounded due to weather
The plane – a Piper Cherokee that was part of a training flight from Virginia Airfield in Durban, involving three aircraft – went missing after aborting an attempted landing to refuel at Ladysmith Airfield in KZN. It is believed that the plane turned back to either make a landing in Greytown or Pietermaritzburg. All contact was lost with the plane shortly afterwards.
A second plane, which also failed to land, crash-landed near Greytown. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The third plane (which was the lead plane) successfully landed in Ladysmith, refueled and continued to Pretoria.
According to a Ladysmith pilot who did not want to be named, the three planes from Pretoria had successfully landed at Ladysmith Airfield the day before and had been warned not to depart too late from Virginia on the Sunday. Unfortunately they did… Several residents reported hearing the planes circling the town low overhead on Sunday evening shortly after 18:00.
The planes had intended to stop over in Ladysmith to refuel before continuing on to Pretoria.
According to ARCC chief of operations, Gregory Critchley, the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) has launched an urgent search & rescue (SAR) operation following the disappearance of a light aircraft carrying three individuals.
Also read: Plane crashes while another goes missing on training flight in KZN
The aircraft, which departed Virginia Airport at around 15:00 on June 8, failed to reach its alternate destination and was last tracked flying over Ladysmith, heading south towards either Pietermaritzburg or Greytown.
While ground SAR teams have been immediately deployed to the designated primary search area, aerial SAR units are grounded but are on high alert and ready to assist as soon as weather conditions permit.
The ARCC is committed to locating the missing aircraft and ensuring the safety of those on board. Anyone with information is urged to come forward and assist in this critical operation. For any sightings of the aircraft or information, please contact the ARCC on 0635054164 or 0635055485.
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