Latest news with #Extra300
IOL News
11 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Search continues for pilot in fatal crash
Pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray died in a fatal crash in Durban Image: Justin de Reuck / Facebook Andrew Blackwood-Murray has been described as the most conscientious and careful pilot. His tragic death on Thursday when the Extra 300 aircraft, a two-seat aerobatic monoplane, he was piloting crashed into the sea, left family and friends baffled as to what caused the crash. Blackwood-Murray, 61, an airline and former air force pilot, from Johannesburg, was at the time performing a final display during an airshow near Durban's Battery Beach. Blackwood-Murray's wife Kyla said she was devastated and beyond heartbroken. "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. I am beyond heartbroken. Just to have one more day with him. If only," wrote Kyla in a tribute on social media. 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 Anton van Niekerk said his cousin was doing what he loved most during his tragic passing, flying aerobatics. "Despite all the confirmation, recovery of parts of his unique plane, the release of the registration and every other proof it was him, it was still unbelievable, unreal in every sense of the word. "Andrew was the most conscientious and responsible pilot I have ever flown with. It was always an honour for him to take us on aerobatic flips and formation flights. "Andrew was a man of impeccable honour, ethics, morals and values. He was accepting and welcoming of everyone. His incredible humour I absolutely loved and we would tease each other mercilessly when we got together, always sharing a laugh. The pain and sadness at his passing is excruciating. If he was ever passing over our property after a show he would buzz the house and now and again give us our own personal display, what a great man," said Van Niekerk. He said Blackwood-Murray, a Michaelhouse School old boy, was up there amongst the best aerobatic pilots in the country. "He was meticulous and careful and never took unnecessary risks. Nobody knows what caused the accident," he said. Justin de Reuck, an aviation photographer, said he had the pleasure to fly with Blackwood-Murray on photographic shoots. "Andrew was the nicest guy and gentleman. He never had an angry word. "He was a great aerobatic pilot. We are puzzled by what has happened and we are never going to know. I hope that he is found to help the family find closure," said De Reuck. Long time family friend Bev Shapland described the father of one as an excellent pilot and well respected gentleman within the aviation industry. "He was extremely conscientious and meticulous that everything was in order. He participated in the top airshows in the country. He had love and a zest for life and his family," said Shapland. The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) were investigating the cause of the crash. Police divers were yesterday continuing in the search operation for the missing pilot. Lorenzo Taverna-Tunisan, NSRI Durban duty coxswain, said the NSRI Durban station 5 rescue base was utilised as a command post for the JOCC (Joint Operations Command Centre) in the ongoing search operation led by Police Search and Rescue divers, in cooperation with ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre) and Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID), as well as aviation authorities. Poppy Khoza, director of Civil Aviation, said: 'We are saddened by the incident and are keeping the pilot, family and friends in our thoughts as rescue efforts continue," said Khoza. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
The Citizen
2 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 Citizen
2 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
2 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
