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The South African
2 days ago
- General
- 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.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
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
The South African
4 days ago
- General
- The South African
Another Durban beach closed after deadly plane crash
Durban's popular North Beach area has been closed to the public after the horrific plane crash left a veteran pilot missing and prompted a large-scale rescue operation. The crash happened just before 14:00 on Thursday, 14 August, when the ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft, performing its final display at an airshow, plunged into the sea in full view of onlookers. Emergency services rushed to the scene after beachgoers reported the plane going down. According to IOL , KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the 61-year-old pilot was demonstrating aerial skills when the aircraft went down. 'Police Search and Rescue teams, working together with private counterparts, have recovered some wreckage of the aircraft, and the search for the pilot is ongoing,' Netshiunda said. The operation, led by Police Search and Rescue divers, also involves the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID), and national aviation authorities. The AIID has launched a formal investigation, with Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Sisa Majola confirming updates will follow as more information about the plane crash becomes available. In the meantime, the eThekwini Municipality has cordoned off the Durban North beach area, warning residents and visitors to stay away. 'The safety of the public remains our top priority, and we urge all beachgoers to avoid the area while operations are underway,' the City said. Several other Durban beaches are also currently closed for swimming, due to poor water quality. These include: REUNION WESTBROOK ANSTEY'S BEACH DOONSIDE BEACH WINKLESPRUIT 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.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Search continues for missing pilot after Durban air show crash
The search for the pilot of the light aircraft that crashed into Durban North Beach yesterday afternoon was suspended late last night and set to continue this morning, KZN police said. According to The Witness, the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre launched the co-ordinated search with the assistance of various search and rescue teams, including the police. The aircraft crashed during an air show linked to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit 2025, hosted at Durban ICC. The three-day summit, attended by delegations from as far as Europe and Asia, concluded yesterday. The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) confirmed the air show was held at Virginia Airport. NSRI spokesperson Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan said the male pilot from Johannesburg, aged 61, remains missing long after the crash. Taverna-Turisan said three NSRI rescue craft were on the scene offshore of the crash site, assisting in search efforts while providing a platform for police search and rescue divers and metro police search-and-rescue divers, who were conducting scuba dive search efforts for the missing man. The Transnet National Ports Authority, Port of Durban Port Control, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, and NSRI Emergency Operations Centre were also assisting in the co-ordination of the search-and-rescue operation in co-operation with the police divers. 'Two NSRI rescue craft (from NSRI Durban and NSRI Umhlanga) were in attendance on the water nearby when the accident occurred. Despite the immediate and swift response and the ongoing extensive sea and air search operation, there remain no signs of the missing man.' He said an investigation will be opened by the SAPS and the AIID. SA Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Sisa Majola said the crashed aircraft, a ZS-AEC Extra 300, was performing its final display when it crashed into the sea. 'The emergency medical services and law enforcement immediately attended to the scene. The AIID will provide updates as soon as further information is available,' said Majola. Following the crash, eThekwini Municipality issued a statement warning residents and visitors that Battery Beach had been temporarily closed until further notice. The municipality urged all beachgoers to avoid the area while operations are underway. 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
IOL News
4 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Rescue teams continue search for missing pilot after Durban plane crash
The search for a missing pilot is set to resume on Friday. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers Rescue teams are expected to continue their search for a pilot, aged 61, who went missing following a plane crash in Durban on Thursday. The accident occurred just before 2pm, when the ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft that was performing its final display crashed into the sea. Emergency services rushed to the Suncoast Beach after people reported seeing a plane crashing into the ocean. Emergency services and response teams at the scene 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda stated that the pilot, who was part of an airshow, was in the air demonstrating his skills when the aircraft crashed. "Police Search and Rescue teams, working together with their private counterparts, have recovered some wreckage of the aircraft, and the search for the pilot is ongoing," he said Meanwhile, the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) confirmed that an investigation is under way. "The AIID will provide updates as soon as further information is available," said Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson, Sisa Majola. Rescue teams carry part of the plane recovered from the sea Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
