Latest news with #AeronauticalRescueCo-ordinationCentre
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Condolences extended to KZN light aircraft crash victims' families
THE DA in KZN has called for a probe into the circumstances that led to the light aircraft crash in the Midlands earlier this week. The tragedy claimed the lives of all three occupants aboard the aircraft. According to reports, the aircraft disappeared on Sunday, after departing from Virginia Airport in Durban. ALSO READ: Search for missing aircraft ends in tragedy On Monday, the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre confirmed it had located the aircraft crash site. The DA said it is deeply saddened by the incident and extends heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the deceased. 'The loss of a young student pilot – who was reportedly operating the aircraft – is particularly devastating, as it represents not only the end of a promising future, but also a loss to South Africa's aviation sector,' said the party. ALSO READ: CIT heist causes havoc on N2 KZN DA Spokesperson on Transport Riona Gokool commended the efforts of all emergency personnel and search and rescue teams who worked tirelessly to locate the missing aircraft. 'Their dedication and professionalism in the face of adversity must be acknowledged and appreciated,' said Gokool. Gokool added that Transport MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed that the matter will be handed over to the SAPS Accident and Incident Investigation Division and the South African Civil Aviation Authority for an official investigation. 'As part of KZN's GPU, the DA is committed to closely monitoring this process. We believe particular attention must be paid to the role that adverse weather conditions, pilot training, flight planning and aircraft condition may have played,' said Gokool. 'The findings of this investigation must inform immediate steps to strengthen aviation safety standards and ensure such tragedies are not repeated. 'As a nation, we must honour the memory of those lost by demanding accountability, learning from this incident, and by putting robust measures in place to protect all who take to our skies,' said Gokool. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Search for missing aircraft ends in tragedy
The search for a missing aircraft has ended in tragedy after it was recovered, and the three people aboard found dead. According to reports, the aircraft departed Virginia Airport north of Durban at around 3pm on Sunday but failed to reach its alternate destination. It was last tracked flying over Ladysmith, heading south towards either Pietermaritzburg or Greytown. The KZN Department of Transport said an investigation is under way to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the accident. 'The Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) informed us that they will be handing over the matter to the SAPS Accident and Incident Investigation Division and the South African Civil Aviation Authority for the official investigation,' said Transport MEC Siboniso Duma. 'We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. 'In particular, we are in touch with Zama Biyela, mother of the late student pilot Nqobile Biyela. 'This is the most difficult period for her and the entire family. 'Losing such a young, great leader with a promising career in the aviation industry, under such circumstances, is not only tragic but devastating,' said Duma. He also commended rescue teams for their display of efficiency throughout the operation. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Missing plane update: Air search and rescue grounded due to weather
Rescue operations have been hampered today (June 9) by bad weather over the entire search area for the missing plane which is believed to have crashed sometime last night. 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. 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
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Plane missing, another crashes after aborted Ladysmith landing
A plane bound for Ladysmith reportedly had to turn back after aborting a landing attempt at Ladysmith Airfield, crashing somewhere between Ladysmith and Greytown last night. Ladysmith Gazette reports that, according to a source, the aircraft – one of three – diverted to Greytown after it became too dark to land. The first of the three planes managed to land. The third has been reported missing, with police search and rescue teams and other agencies actively searching for it. It 'literally vanished without a trace'. It is unknown how many people were on board the missing aircraft. All three planes had taken off from Virginia Airfield in Durban shortly after 15:00 yesterday on a training flight. Miraculously, all three individuals on board the aircraft that crashed near Greytown survived with only minor injuries. According to the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC), another aircraft has been missing since last night. It is believed to have last been heard flying over Ladysmith, heading towards either Pietermaritzburg or Greytown. Aircraft details: Type: Piper Cherokee Piper Cherokee Registration: ZS-KFB ZS-KFB Colour: Blue, black, and white Residents in Ladysmith, Greytown, Newcastle, Pietermaritzburg and surrounding rural or mountainous areas are urged to contact the following ARCC numbers with any information: 063 505 4164 or 063 505 5485. 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!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Plane crashes while another goes missing on training flight in KZN
Plane crashes while another goes missing on training flight in KZN A plane, bound for Ladysmith, reportedly had to turn back after aborting a landing attempt at Ladysmith Airfield, crashing somewhere between Ladysmith and Greytown last night (June 8). According to a source, the aircraft – one of three – diverted to Greytown after it became too dark to land. The first of the three planes, however, managed to land. The third plane has been reported missing, with police search & rescue and other agencies busy trying to find the literally vanished without a trace. It is unknown how many people were onboard the missing plane. All three planes had taken off from Virginia airfield shortly after 15:00 yesterday afternoon on a training flight. Miraculously, all three individuals on board the plane that crashed near Greytown survived the crash with only minor injuries. Also read: 50 bicycles handed over to Incinjane High School According to the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC), another aircraft has been missing since last night. It is believed that the aircraft was last heard overhead Ladysmith, flying either towards Pietermaritzburg or Greytown. Aircraft details: Type: Piper Cherokee Piper Cherokee Registration: ZS-KFB ZS-KFB Colour: Blue, Black, and White. Residents in Ladysmith, Greytown, Newcastle, Pietermaritzburg and nearby rural or mountainous terrain are urged to contact the numbers below should they have any information: ARCC: 063 505 4164 or 063 505 5485 Read the full story in this week's edition of the Ladysmith Gazette. 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!
