Latest news with #ImpalaMark1
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Friend recalls final moments of South African pilot before air show crash
Spectators have shared their shock and horror as they watched a decorated South African Air Force pilot crash to his death at a local air show, while they recalled his final moments. James O'Connell died after the plane he was flying crashed during a performance at the West Coast Air Show held in Saldanha, 112 km (70 miles) north of Cape Town, over the weekend. According to organisers, Mr O'Connell was performing a "routine display" on a retired military aircraft when it "experienced a sudden loss of altitude and entered a steep dive". An investigation into the accident is currently underway as tributes pour in for the seasoned former Air Force pilot. Mr O'Connell's crash was captured by numerous videos and images which have since been shared widely on social media. In one, the 68-year-old aircraft, an Impala Mark 1, can be seen flying upside-down before returning to its original position and then nose-diving to the ground. A huge cloud of smoke and fire can then be seen as it crashes to the ground, while gasps of shock can be heard from the watching crowd. Air show commentator Brian Emmenis, who was present at the show and provided running commentary on Mr O'Connell's performance, can then be heard urging the stunned crowd to "stay calm and remain where you are". Speaking to the BBC two days after the horrific crash, Mr Emmenis shared his final exchange with the decorated pilot. Mr Emmenis said he had known Mr O'Connell from the latter's time as a test pilot at the South African Air Force. According to him, Mr O'Connell worked at the Air Force for nearly three decades before moving to the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA), where he worked as chief flight instructor and was head of the test pilot school. The academy confirmed the Impala was one of its display aircraft. "James O'Connell was an incredible test pilot... a very popular guy [and] a thorough professional but also a great friend and good guy to work with," he told the BBC on Monday. Mr Emmenis said the pair spoke about Mr O'Connell's upcoming performance before he took off. Mr O'Connell at this point was "in a good frame of mind", he noted. "As he taxied past... my words [to him] were: 'Have a good [display] my friend' and he [replied]: 'Thanks'." Athol Fugard: Death of a great South African playwright Even in his final seconds of life, first gay imam pushed boundaries Mr Emmenis later explained in a statement released by West Coast Air Show organisers that Mr O'Connell had gone into a "dirty configuration" – described as a move where the undercarriage is extended - where he turned the aircraft over and "the undercarriage was down". "But when he turned, I could see that the aircraft was in a nose-down attitude and that concerned me. I stopped talking and I looked because I thought: 'Wow, he's low and diving down to the ground' and sadly, that's exactly what happened. And I waited and suddenly saw the flame, I never heard the impact, I was too far away but I saw this huge [flame]." The seasoned commentator described the shock and devastation felt across the aviation industry at the news of Mr O'Connell's death. "South Africa is devastated. In fact, not only South Africa - I've been getting calls from all over [the world]. Aviation is a small world and it's a band of brothers …especially [in] air show flying because usually it's the best of the best that get chosen to go do these displays." While it is too early to speculate on what exactly went wrong, he reasoned that as a "highly qualified test pilot", Mr O'Connell would not have attempted anything he didn't think he could manage. "I don't think anybody would do a manoeuvre like that if you didn't know what it's about," he said. Clive Coetzee, organiser of the West Coast Air Show, said that he was "deeply saddened by the event" and spoke of the shocking effect it had, not only on attendees, but other participants. Among them was a young pilot who was set to do his first show that same day but pulled out when he witnessed Mr O'Connell's crash. And while Mr Coetzee only met Mr O'Connell on the day of the fateful accident, he described him as a "funny guy" and "very nice" based on their final chat. Both men declined to comment on the Impala's track record, but Mr Emmenis said: "It was kept in immaculate condition and when the test flight school took it, they stripped it down and checked for any faults. So there was nothing wrong with it, it was absolutely perfect." The Impala is a retired Air Force aircraft that first took to the skies in 1957. Leading tributes for Mr O'Connell was the TFASA, which described him as a "true aviation legend" with 36 years flying experience. The expelled envoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa row Ghosts of apartheid haunt South Africa as compensation anger brews US cuts send South Africa's HIV treatment 'off a cliff' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
West Coast Air Show: Final moments of South African pilot James O'Connell before crash
Spectators have shared their shock and horror as they watched a decorated South African Air Force pilot crash to his death at a local air show, while they recalled his final O'Connell died after the plane he was flying crashed during a performance at the West Coast Air Show held in Saldanha, 112 km (70 miles) north of Cape Town, over the to organisers, Mr O'Connell was performing a "routine display" on a retired military aircraft when it "experienced a sudden loss of altitude and entered a steep dive".An investigation into the accident is currently underway as tributes pour in for the seasoned former Air Force pilot. Mr O'Connell's crash was captured by numerous videos and images which have since been shared widely on social one, the 68-year-old aircraft, an Impala Mark 1, can be seen flying upside-down before returning to its original position and then nose-diving to the ground.A huge cloud of smoke and fire can then be seen as it crashes to the ground, while gasps of shock can be heard from the watching show commentator Brian Emmenis, who was present at the show and provided running commentary on Mr O'Connell's performance, can then be heard urging the stunned crowd to "stay calm and remain where you are".Speaking to the BBC two days after the horrific crash, Mr Emmenis shared his final exchange with the decorated Emmenis said he had known Mr O'Connell from the latter's time as a test pilot at the South African Air Force. According to him, Mr O'Connell worked at the Air Force for nearly three decades before moving to the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA), where he worked as chief flight instructor and was head of the test pilot school. The academy confirmed the Impala was one of its display aircraft."James O'Connell was an incredible test pilot... a very popular guy [and] a thorough professional but also a great friend and good guy to work with," he told the BBC on Emmenis said the pair spoke about Mr O'Connell's upcoming performance before he took off. Mr O'Connell at this point was "in a good frame of mind", he noted."As he taxied past... my words [to him] were: 'Have a good [display] my friend' and he [replied]: 'Thanks'." Mr Emmenis later explained in a statement released by West Coast Air Show organisers that Mr O'Connell had gone into a "dirty configuration" – described as a move where the undercarriage is extended - where he turned the aircraft over and "the undercarriage was down"."But when he turned, I could see that the aircraft was in a nose-down attitude and that concerned me. I stopped talking and I looked because I thought: 'Wow, he's low and diving down to the ground' and sadly, that's exactly what happened. And I waited and suddenly saw the flame, I never heard the impact, I was too far away but I saw this huge [flame]."The seasoned commentator described the shock and devastation felt across the aviation industry at the news of Mr O'Connell's death. "South Africa is devastated. In fact, not only South Africa - I've been getting calls from all over [the world]. Aviation is a small world and it's a band of brothers …especially [in] air show flying because usually it's the best of the best that get chosen to go do these displays." While it is too early to speculate on what exactly went wrong, he reasoned that as a "highly qualified test pilot", Mr O'Connell would not have attempted anything he didn't think he could manage."I don't think anybody would do a manoeuvre like that if you didn't know what it's about," he Coetzee, organiser of the West Coast Air Show, said that he was "deeply saddened by the event" and spoke of the shocking effect it had, not only on attendees, but other them was a young pilot who was set to do his first show that same day but pulled out when he witnessed Mr O'Connell's while Mr Coetzee only met Mr O'Connell on the day of the fateful accident, he described him as a "funny guy" and "very nice" based on their final men declined to comment on the Impala's track record, but Mr Emmenis said: "It was kept in immaculate condition and when the test flight school took it, they stripped it down and checked for any faults. So there was nothing wrong with it, it was absolutely perfect."The Impala is a retired Air Force aircraft that first took to the skies in 1957. Leading tributes for Mr O'Connell was the TFASA, which described him as a "true aviation legend" with 36 years flying experience. Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Fox News
24-03-2025
- General
- Fox News
Video shows 'highly skilled' pilot's final moments before fatal air show crash
A "highly skilled" pilot's final moments were captured on video before he died in a crash at an air show in South Africa over the weekend. The fatal incident involving James O'Connell unfolded Saturday at the Saldanha Bay Airfield outside of Cape Town. Footage showed a plane performing an aerial maneuver before crashing into the ground, generating a fireball and drawing screams from those in attendance. "It is with profound sadness that the organizers of the West Coast Airshow confirm a fatal accident involving James O'Connell, a highly skilled and respected test pilot from South Africa, when he piloted the Impala Mark 1 aircraft during today's display in Saldanha," the event's organizers said in a statement. "Mr. O'Connell was performing a routine display intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the Impala Mark 1 – a beloved warbird with deep historical significance for many South Africans – it was especially a huge moment because the Impala has not been seen performing at airshows for many years," they added. "The maneuvers were being executed as part of the official airshow program, witnessed by thousands of spectators." Video of the incident showed a cloud of black smoke rising up into the sky following the crash. "He rolled the aircraft... he turned the aircraft, the undercarriage was up. On coming out of it, one could clearly see that he was losing height," airshow commentator Brian Emmenis was quoted by the organizers as saying. "He went out toward the hangars – he was at that stage in a serious deep dive – and he went straight into the ground. There was no sign of an attempt to eject." "Emergency services responded immediately, the crowd remained behind the barriers, totally stunned, and medical attention was handed to the crowd," he added. No spectators were injured in the crash, and the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Show South Africa are now investigating. "The organizers extend their deepest condolences to Mr. O'Connell's family, friends and aviation colleagues," they added.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Video shows deadly plane explosion at South Africa air show
STORY: :: Maritha Wagner/TMX :: March 22, 2025 :: Eyewitness video shows a plane exploding into a fireball at an air show in South Africa :: Saldanha, South Africa :: The pilot died in the crash but no spectators were harmed, according to the organizers An Impala Mark 1 aircraft was seen performing a routine display over spectators at the air show, before the plane nose dived to the ground, crashing in a huge fireball. Reuters was able to independently verify the location by the building structures, and airport layout seen in the video that matched file and satellite imagery. Reuters was able to verify the date of the video from the statement released by the organizers of West Coast Air Show 2025. The plane was piloted by South African pilot James O' Connell, and appeared stable through most of the performance, according to a statement by the event organizer. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene, and all spectators escaped unharmed, the statement added.
Daily Tribune
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Pilot Dies in Tragic Crash at South African Air Show
A pilot has tragically lost his life after his plane spiralled out of control and crashed during a performance at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha, South Africa. The incident occurred on Saturday, approximately 70 miles (110 km) north of Cape Town. Eyewitnesses and video footage captured the horrifying moment as the aircraft spun uncontrollably mid-air before plummeting to the ground. The crash occurred while the pilot, identified as James O'Connell, was performing a routine display. In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, the organisers of the West Coast Air Show confirmed the fatality, expressing their deep sorrow. "It is with profound sadness that the organisers of the West Coast Airshow confirm a fatal accident involving James O'Connell, a highly skilled and respected test pilot from South Africa," the statement read. O'Connell, who was well-known in the aviation community, had been performing a display meant to showcase the capabilities of the Impala Mark 1, a historic warplane that holds significant sentimental value for many South Africans. The aircraft's appearance at air shows had been a rare and much-anticipated event, adding to the poignancy of the moment. The display was part of the official air show programme, with thousands of spectators in attendance. While the plane appeared to be under control throughout most of the manoeuvres, eyewitnesses reported that it suddenly lost altitude during one of the final moves, entering a steep dive before crashing. The air show organisers and the aviation community are mourning the loss of O'Connell, who was known for his professionalism and skill in the cockpit.
