AIID probes cause of two plane crashes that claimed three lives
The aircraft had formed a part of a loose formation that departed from the Virgina Airport in Durban to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria.
The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) has been tasked with investigating two aircraft crashes that claimed the lives of three people in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
On Sunday night, a light aircraft with three people onboard went missing and was recovered on Monday.
Plane crash
The three aircraft had formed a part of a loose formation that departed from the Virginia Airport in Durban to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria, with the intent of refuelling at the Ladysmith Airport in northern KZN.
AIID spokesperson Sisa Majola said that since the Ladysmith Airport did not have night facilities, the three aircraft diverted to nearby Greytown Airport.
'The first accident occurred when a Piper Cherokee (Registration: ZS-CZU) crashed into bushy terrain on approach to the Greytown Airport. The two pilots on board were not injured, but the aircraft was damaged. A second aircraft landed safely'.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Tragic turn after missing aircraft disappears in KZN Midlands
Third aircraft crash
Majola said on Monday morning, 9 June 2025, there was an official search for the third aircraft, a ZS-KF.
'That concluded with the wreckage being located in Greytown by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre team. The three occupants on board were declared dead by the South African Police Services.
'The AIID investigators have been dispatched to both sites to collate evidence, where a preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the day of the accident,' Majola said.
The AIID extended its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.
Joburg aircraft crash
Last week, a pilot was killed and a passenger injured in a light aircraft crash in Johannesburg. The accident occurred in Lanseria at about 10 am.
Majola stated that the aircraft departed from Lanseria International Airport (FALA) and crashed moments after takeoff.
Majola said the aircraft crashed within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve.
'There were two on board the aircraft (pilot and passenger), with the pilot fatally injured. The passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital.
'AIID has dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the date of this accident,' Majola said.
The AIID extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of the pilot and the injured passenger.
ALSO READ: Creecy steps in to resolve dispute over Acsa baggage screening services
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
AIID probes cause of two plane crashes that claimed three lives
The aircraft had formed a part of a loose formation that departed from the Virgina Airport in Durban to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria. The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) has been tasked with investigating two aircraft crashes that claimed the lives of three people in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). On Sunday night, a light aircraft with three people onboard went missing and was recovered on Monday. Plane crash The three aircraft had formed a part of a loose formation that departed from the Virginia Airport in Durban to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria, with the intent of refuelling at the Ladysmith Airport in northern KZN. AIID spokesperson Sisa Majola said that since the Ladysmith Airport did not have night facilities, the three aircraft diverted to nearby Greytown Airport. 'The first accident occurred when a Piper Cherokee (Registration: ZS-CZU) crashed into bushy terrain on approach to the Greytown Airport. The two pilots on board were not injured, but the aircraft was damaged. A second aircraft landed safely'. ALSO READ: UPDATE: Tragic turn after missing aircraft disappears in KZN Midlands Third aircraft crash Majola said on Monday morning, 9 June 2025, there was an official search for the third aircraft, a ZS-KF. 'That concluded with the wreckage being located in Greytown by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre team. The three occupants on board were declared dead by the South African Police Services. 'The AIID investigators have been dispatched to both sites to collate evidence, where a preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the day of the accident,' Majola said. The AIID extended its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. Joburg aircraft crash Last week, a pilot was killed and a passenger injured in a light aircraft crash in Johannesburg. The accident occurred in Lanseria at about 10 am. Majola stated that the aircraft departed from Lanseria International Airport (FALA) and crashed moments after takeoff. Majola said the aircraft crashed within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. 'There were two on board the aircraft (pilot and passenger), with the pilot fatally injured. The passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital. 'AIID has dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the date of this accident,' Majola said. The AIID extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of the pilot and the injured passenger. ALSO READ: Creecy steps in to resolve dispute over Acsa baggage screening services
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Missing plane update: Crash site located, no survivors
The missing plane has been located. Bad weather hampered search & rescue efforts over the entire search area for the missing plane that crashed sometime last night (June 8). The crash site, between Ladysmith and Pietermaritzburg near uMshwathi Municipality, has been found and we are given to understand that there were no survivors. SAPS Search & Rescue are on scene. 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. The planes had intended to stop over in Ladysmith to refuel before continuing on to Pretoria. Also read: Missing plane update: Air rescue search grounded Please follow us on our YouTube channel and do not be shy; please subscribe and comment as well. Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Missing plane update: Crash site located in KZN, no survivors
A light aircraft that went missing in the Midlands yesterday has been located. Bad weather hampered search-and-rescue efforts over the entire search area for the missing plane that crashed sometime last night. Northern Natal News reports that the crash site, between Ladysmith and Pietermaritzburg near uMshwathi Municipality, has been found. There are no survivors. SAPS search-and-rescue is on the scene. 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, refuelled and continued to Pretoria. The planes had intended to stop over in Ladysmith to refuel before continuing to Pretoria. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
