NSRI offers latest update on missing Durban plane crash pilot
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.
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The South African
12 hours ago
- The South African
NSRI offers latest update on missing Durban plane crash pilot
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
12 hours ago
- IOL News
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.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Locals lay wreaths in tribute to missing Durban plane crash pilot
Residents of Durban have begun laying flowers and tributes at Battery Beach in memory of Andrew Blackwood-Murray who remains missing after his light aircraft crashed into the sea during an aerobatic display on Thursday afternoon. RELATED | WIFE of Durban plane crash pilot pays emotional tribute The 61-year-old Johannesburg pilot, who was participating in an aerial performance as part of the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit held at Virginia Airport, lost control of his plane during the closing stages of the show. As search and rescue teams, including divers and NSRI craft, continued their efforts offshore for a third day, crowds gathered on the beach to show support and mourn the tragedy. Among them was Paulo Martins, a close friend and colleague of Blackwood-Murray's. 'We were friends, we were colleagues, we were aviators – and that's just hard work,' Martins said, laying flowers alongside his family. 'When I got the news, I had a feeling of who it might have been. I didn't want to ask, but eventually, the questions were answered.' Thembeka Cebani, a local beachfront vendor, recounted witnessing the incident and expressed her condolences. 'We were just enjoying the airshow at Suncoast, but we were shocked when we saw the plane go straight into the ocean,' she said. 'Now we're just praying they can find the body, so the family can have peace.' Andre Stain, who lives in a nearby apartment overlooking the beach, was among those who watched the crash unfold in real-time. 'What you see in the video – it's worse to see live. It was more violent. It was actually very sad,' he said. The aircraft, a ZS-AEC Extra 300, had been performing high-speed aerobatic manoeuvres when it plummeted into the water in full view of beachgoers and tourists. Search efforts, coordinated by the Joint Operations Command Centre (JOCC), continue with teams from the NSRI, Metro Police, and SAPS Search and Rescue working around the clock. 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.
