2 days ago
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.
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