Search continues for missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) says the investigation into the horrific plane crash, leaving pilot 61-year-old Andrew Blackwood-Murray missing, is continuing.
The accident occurred just before 2pm on Thursday, when the ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft that was performing its final display crashed into the sea.
Rescue
Video footage circulated on social media showed the light aircraft looping in the sky before plummeting towards the ocean and skidding for a distance.
Emergency services, including the ALS Paramedics, the South African Police Service (Saps) and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), rushed to the scene of the incident in front of Suncoast Beach.
Tragic
Sacaa spokesperson Sisa Majola said they are saddened by the tragic accident.
'The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID), confirmed that the incident occurred at approximately 13:45 when an Extra 300 aircraft (registration ZS-AEC) crashed into the sea while performing its final display.
Emergency medical services and law enforcement responded immediately to the scene. A search and rescue operation commenced shortly after the crash and is ongoing,' Majola said.
ALSO READ: AIID probes cause of two plane crashes that claimed three lives
Investigations
The Director of Civil Aviation, Poppy Khoza, said they are keeping the pilot, his family and friends in their thoughts as rescue efforts continue
'Our focus now is on the mission currently unfolding, appreciating the efforts of the teams on the ground and wishing them strength as they continue with the mission'.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is being carried out by the AIID.'
Search
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) resumed its search for a Blackwood-Murray on Friday morning.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said since the early hours of Friday morning, from first light, metro police, eThekwini municipal lifeguards, and the Saps continued to recover wreckage washed ashore overnight.
'Ethekwini municipal lifeguards have deployed lifeguards and resources to search out to sea in an ongoing search and to recover wreckage beyond the backbreaker.
'The NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 6 will be deployed to assist in the ongoing search, and to provide a platform for police divers and metro police divers in ongoing scuba dive search efforts.'
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garith Jamieson said the search has been stopped for the day at Battery/Suncoast Beach.
'Teams will regroup tomorrow [Saturday] morning'
Tributes
Tributes have been pouring in for Blackwood-Murray following a plane crash in Durban on Thursday.
'So deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend Andrew Blackwood Murray, a man I've had the privilege of knowing for decades.
'Andrew was not only a world-class pilot, but a true gentleman whose warmth, passion, and skill touched so many lives,' said John Walland on Facebook.
Walland conveyed condolences to the Blackwood-Maurray family and friends.
Bev Shapland said she was heartbroken by the crash.
Andrew Blackwood-Murray, a true gentleman, a wonderful husband to dear Kyla Blackwood-Murray and a fantastic father to Matthew, a beautiful soul to the end, who will forever live in our hearts.
'Thank you for all the treasured years of friendship. I will miss you dearly, my Andy,' she said.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Tragic turn after missing aircraft disappears in KZN Midlands
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The South African
40 minutes ago
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WIFE of Durban plane crash pilot pays emotional tribute
The wife of veteran South African pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray who was killed in a tragic plane crash off the coast of Durban on Thursday, has paid an emotional tribute. Blackwood-Murray, 61, was performing a display in his ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft as part of an airshow linked to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit 2025, hosted at Virginia Airport, when the plane crashed into the ocean just before 14:00. Emergency services and eyewitnesses quickly responded, with reports of the plane plunging into the sea near Suncoast Beach. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), eThekwini lifeguards, Police Search and Rescue, and other agencies launched a joint operation, which remains ongoing as at the time of publishing. 'The NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 6 will be deployed to assist in the ongoing search and provide a platform for Police and Metro divers conducting scuba operations,' said NSRI duty coxswain Lorenzo Taverna-Tunisan. Battery Beach and surrounding areas have been closed to the public as wreckage continues to wash ashore and search teams expand their efforts. Blackwood-Murray, well-known within aviation circles, was regarded as a world-class pilot and true gentleman. He was celebrated not just for his elite flying skills, but also for his warmth and mentorship within the aviation community. Kyla Blackwood-Murray took to Facebook on Saturday to pay tribute to her husband, writing: 'Yesterday I said goodbye to my most favourite boy in the whole wide world. 'It was the call I have been dreading my whole life. But I always said I would rather he go doing the things he loves the most. I just didn't realise he would have left so soon. 'He was my world. We did everything together and we had so many plans. We were going to grow old and be the most awesome geriatrics together. 'He has taken away the biggest piece of my soul and I don't know how I am going to live without my wingman. 'He brought me more joy than I ever imagined possible. He was always there for me helping me become the best version of myself. 'I am beyond heartbroken. Just to have one more day with him. If only. 'My baby may you soar the skies and visit all the amazing places you had on your bucket list. 'You rocked my world. You gave me meaning and purpose and I don't know how I am going to do life without you. 'Thank you for loving me completely. I am devastated. You will always be my person. Forever and always Andrew Blackwood-Murray.' 'Andrew, your spirit will forever soar in the skies you loved,' shared respected media personality and close friend, John Walland, who remembered him as 'a warm and passionate man whose skills touched so many lives.' Others reflected on his humility and approachability, regardless of how busy he was. 'Gonna miss you. A gentleman, an amazing pilot… He will certainly leave a gap in the airshow display calendar,' wrote Venessa Richardson. 'My heart bleeds, Andrew. You were such a gentleman. I'm glad I had the pleasure of sharing a classroom with you,' added Ryan Douwie. As the search continues, tributes to Andrew Blackwood-Murray serve as a reminder of the deep personal and professional impact he made throughout his life. His passion for flight, dedication to airshows, and mentorship of the next generation of pilots leaves behind a legacy that will not be forgotten. Authorities have asked the public to remain sensitive to the situation and to allow recovery teams the space and support needed as the operation progresses. 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
15 hours ago
- IOL News
Ongoing search for missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray after tragic Durban aircraft crash
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has confirmed that the investigation into the tragic plane crash that occurred off the Durban coastline is continuing, with 61-year-old pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray still missing. Blackwood-Murray was part of an airshow linked to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit 2025, hosted at Virginia Airport. The accident occurred just before 2pm, when the ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft that was performing its final display crashed into the sea. On Friday, Sisa Majola, spokesperson for the SACAA, expressed sorrow over the incident, revealing that the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) was promptly on the scene to initiate an investigation. The Director of Civil Aviation, Poppy Khoza, stated that the focus remains on the ongoing mission to find Blackwood-Murray. 'We are saddened by the incident and are keeping the pilot, family and friends in our thoughts as rescue efforts continue," she said. "Our focus now is on the mission currently unfolding, appreciating the efforts of the teams on the ground and wishing them strength as they continue with the mission." Following the crash on Thursday, eThekwini Municipality announced the closure of Battery Beach as the search continues.
The Citizen
19 hours ago
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Search continues for missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray
The Extra 300 aircraft (registration ZS-AEC) crashed into the sea while performing its final display. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) says the investigation into the horrific plane crash, leaving pilot 61-year-old Andrew Blackwood-Murray missing, is continuing. The accident occurred just before 2pm on Thursday, when the ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft that was performing its final display crashed into the sea. Rescue Video footage circulated on social media showed the light aircraft looping in the sky before plummeting towards the ocean and skidding for a distance. Emergency services, including the ALS Paramedics, the South African Police Service (Saps) and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), rushed to the scene of the incident in front of Suncoast Beach. Tragic Sacaa spokesperson Sisa Majola said they are saddened by the tragic accident. 'The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID), confirmed that the incident occurred at approximately 13:45 when an Extra 300 aircraft (registration ZS-AEC) crashed into the sea while performing its final display. Emergency medical services and law enforcement responded immediately to the scene. A search and rescue operation commenced shortly after the crash and is ongoing,' Majola said. ALSO READ: AIID probes cause of two plane crashes that claimed three lives Investigations The Director of Civil Aviation, Poppy Khoza, said they are keeping the pilot, his family and friends in their thoughts as rescue efforts continue 'Our focus now is on the mission currently unfolding, appreciating the efforts of the teams on the ground and wishing them strength as they continue with the mission'. The investigation into the cause of the crash is being carried out by the AIID.' Search The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) resumed its search for a Blackwood-Murray on Friday morning. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said since the early hours of Friday morning, from first light, metro police, eThekwini municipal lifeguards, and the Saps continued to recover wreckage washed ashore overnight. 'Ethekwini municipal lifeguards have deployed lifeguards and resources to search out to sea in an ongoing search and to recover wreckage beyond the backbreaker. 'The NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 6 will be deployed to assist in the ongoing search, and to provide a platform for police divers and metro police divers in ongoing scuba dive search efforts.' ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garith Jamieson said the search has been stopped for the day at Battery/Suncoast Beach. 'Teams will regroup tomorrow [Saturday] morning' Tributes Tributes have been pouring in for Blackwood-Murray following a plane crash in Durban on Thursday. 'So deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend Andrew Blackwood Murray, a man I've had the privilege of knowing for decades. 'Andrew was not only a world-class pilot, but a true gentleman whose warmth, passion, and skill touched so many lives,' said John Walland on Facebook. Walland conveyed condolences to the Blackwood-Maurray family and friends. Bev Shapland said she was heartbroken by the crash. Andrew Blackwood-Murray, a true gentleman, a wonderful husband to dear Kyla Blackwood-Murray and a fantastic father to Matthew, a beautiful soul to the end, who will forever live in our hearts. 'Thank you for all the treasured years of friendship. I will miss you dearly, my Andy,' she said. ALSO READ: UPDATE: Tragic turn after missing aircraft disappears in KZN Midlands
