Latest news with #SACAA
TimesLIVE
12 hours ago
- General
- TimesLIVE
Family raised alarm on light aircraft crash which claimed three students
A light aircraft crash claimed the lives of three students after it departed Virginia Airport in Durban on Sunday afternoon. The aircraft was last tracked flying over Ladysmith before losing contact, which prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation. KwaZulu-Natal transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) notified authorities that the student-piloted aircraft had gone missing shortly after 3pm. The aircraft was en route to Johannesburg and scheduled to refuel in Greytown after a change in flight plan from the original stop in Mnambithi. KwaZulu-Natal traffic anchor Ayanda Msweli said the alarm was first raised early on Monday morning by the family of student pilot Nqobile Biyela. 'The student pilot's mom, who was in Johannesburg, and another relative in Empangeni, contacted us at about 7am to report the aircraft missing. The student's aunt clarified that the mother would follow up as they were urgently seeking help to locate the [aircraft].' According to Duma, his department, in collaboration with the ARCC, mobilised to assist in the search, taking into account severe weather conditions as forecast by the SA Weather Service. The department also worked closely with the head of department Siboniso Mbhele, co-ordinating efforts with local transport forums in Umgungundlovu and Uthukela districts and activated community leaders to assist. The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered on Monday morning in the Midlands, confirming the deaths of the three occupants — student pilots Biyela, 23, and Lulama 'Lwazi' Msane, 23, and medical student Siphesihle Buthelezi, 20. Duma expressed his condolences, adding the crash happened in Youth Month. 'Our hearts go out to the families and friends of these promising young individuals. This is a tragic moment for all of us.' According to Msweli, the aircraft was one of a group of three flying from Durban to Johannesburg. 'Three aircraft left Durban for Johannesburg. The plan was to refuel in Mnambithi, but it was changed to Greytown.' The first aircraft encountered difficulty during its approach and crash-landed in a nearby field near Greytown Airport. 'That plane wasn't able to land properly and crashed in bushy terrain,' said Msweli. 'The two pilots on board were not injured.' The second aircraft landed safely, refuelled and continued its journey. The third plane, flown by Biyela, never made it to its destination. 'It crashed into a field filled with gumtrees. There were three people on board,' said Msweli. Duma said the crash is being investigated by SAPS and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and a report is expected from the SACAA accident and incident investigation division within 30 days. 'The report will serve as a source of comfort for the families. We are aware that postmortem examinations will be essential in identifying the causes, injuries and survival factors of this crash.' Eagle Air, the aviation school at which the students were training, said the loss was a blow for the aviation industry. 'As a close-knit aviation family, we feel this loss profoundly. This is a painful moment for all of us — one that hits close to home. We are heartbroken by this devastating loss and extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have passed.' In honour of the victims Eagle Air announced the temporary suspension of its flight operations. 'We will close our flight school for the coming week to provide space for mourning and reflection. This time will be dedicated to supporting the families, our staff, our students and the broader community who are grieving.'
The South African
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- The South African
SA aviation sector rocked by new ruling: 1 400 aircraft grounded, 300 000 jobs at risk
South Africa's aviation sector has been shaken by the South African Civil Aviation Authority's (SACAA) sudden enforcement of a controversial rule requiring all aircraft engines older than 12 years to undergo mandatory overhauls – regardless of flight hours or mechanical condition. The decision, which has grounded more than 1 400 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters across the country, stems from SACAA's belief that a strict time-based overhaul regime is essential to maintaining flight safety. The cost of an overhaul in many cases may exceed the value of the aircraft, effectively rendering them obsolete. An industry with some 300 000 employees could be economically decimated by the ruling. According to SACAA, the enforcement of the 12-year engine overhaul rule is rooted in one key priority: Preventing mechanical failure that could result in fatalities. SACAA says it is aligning local regulations with the manufacturer-recommended 'calendar life' of engines, which typically advise overhauls every 12 years, irrespective of flight time. These timeframes are based on the understanding that materials degrade with age, even when engines are well-maintained or seldom used. The Authority points to international standards, including those of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, which often require scheduled overhauls for commercial operations. A SACAA spokesperson told media this week: 'Aging components – particularly in critical engine assemblies – can experience metal fatigue, corrosion, and rubber degradation that are invisible during external inspections. 'Overhaul intervals are designed to identify these failures before they become safety risks.' Until recently, aircraft owners could make use of AIC 18.19, an exemption that allowed continued airworthiness via inspection, rather than calendar age. However, in 2023, SACAA rescinded that circular. The rationale? According to SACAA insiders, reliance on discretionary inspections introduced inconsistencies in compliance. Inspectors may vary in experience or overlook early signs of deterioration. The Authority has stated that the alternate compliance pathway was vulnerable to abuse and opened the door to unsafe flying. 'The blanket inspection exemption created a loophole. Safety cannot depend on subjective interpretations of engine health,' SACAA said in a statement. Although no recent high-profile accidents have been directly linked to old engines in South Africa, SACAA claims that international incident data shows a pattern: Infrequently flown engines tend to fail without warning due to internal corrosion or seal degradation. In 2019, for example, an engine failure in a privately operated aircraft in Botswana – later linked to long-term storage and inadequate internal inspection – raised red flags across the SADC region. SACAA is said to be taking a proactive stance to avoid a similar event within its own jurisdiction. There is also a compliance liability factor. As the aviation regulator, SACAA has obligations to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and is required to maintain internationally accepted safety oversight standards. Any serious accident involving an ageing engine could lead to reputational damage, and worse, the downgrading of South Africa's aviation safety rating. Such a downgrade would affect international operations, potentially jeopardising South African air carriers' access to international airspace. 'If we wait for a major incident to act, we will have failed in our duty of care,' said one SACAA official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Despite widespread industry backlash, SACAA appears firm in its position that the rule is necessary for long-term aviation safety. Efforts by stakeholders to negotiate a conditional or phased implementation – similar to previous years – have so far been unsuccessful. Still, industry experts argue that the overhaul requirement ignores real-world usage patterns and may sacrifice economic stability without measurable safety gains. While SACAA insists its decision is safety-first, critics say the Authority has prioritised bureaucratic control over collaborative risk management. With no empirical evidence of increased incidents due to old but maintained engines, the aviation community continues to call for a return to a more nuanced, evidence-based approach. For now, unless SACAA reconsiders or provides a transitional path, South Africa's skies will remain quieter – and its aviation economy more uncertain. Are you happy with SACAA's 'safety-first' approach or do you believe there's more to this story? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send 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
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Flying a drone? Know the law first
When you attend a large public event, you might notice a drone flying over the crowd, however, local drone pilot Dillon Hoffman explains why this is often against regulations. Dillon has over three years of experience in the field of drones, holding a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) as well as certifications in both Safety Management Systems and Quality Management Systems. 'I currently serve as the chief pilot at a production company and regularly do freelance work for various other drone operators who are legally registered under the Unmanned Aircraft System Operator Certificate (UASOC) as required by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA),' he explained. ALSO READ: Drone footage captures a whale of a time! He stated that drone operations in South Africa are governed by Part 101 of the South African Civil Aviation Regulations, with the SACAA enforcing compliance. Given that anyone can simply purchase a drone, it is essential to know how to fly one safely. Dillon provided some tips: • Be aware of your airspace and its limitations • Remain within visual line of sight (VLOS) • Avoid flying near people, roads, or airports without permission • Conduct pre-flight checks • Always use a device that adheres to safety standards • And very importantly, if you are flying for commercial purposes, you must operate under a UASOC. An RPC alone is insufficient ALSO READ: Sector 8 CPF welcomes newest member – Buzzy the drone! 'Some laws and regulations are often disregarded, including individuals who possess only their RPC and mistakenly believe it legally permits them to fly commercially. 'This is untrue. You must also operate under a UASOC. Many fly for payment or client work while claiming 'personal use'. Others operate drones under 250g and assume this is automatically legal, but they confuse it with rules from the USA. 'Those exceptions do not apply in South Africa. It is also common to fly over people, at night, or without permission on private property,' he explained. He emphasised that individuals should remain aware that they are personally liable for any damage or violations. 'You must understand that 'personal use' does not equate to commercial work. Once compensation or a client is involved, you must fly under a UASOC. The mere fact that a drone is small or under 250g does not grant you the right to operate it anywhere, South African regulations still apply,' he said. ALSO READ: Epic drone save Dillon pointed out that safety issues can arise if someone pilots a drone without adequate knowledge. 'This includes aviation hazards such as collisions with other aircraft and helicopters, injuries to people on the ground, disruption of emergency or police operations, and potential invasion of privacy or accidental violations of laws,' he explained. He noted that when an amateur pilot inadvertently breaks the law, the SACAA investigates complaints and can collaborate with the police or local authorities. Operating without an RPC or outside a UASOC constitutes a legal violation and may result in prosecution. 'You could be fined up to R50 000, face criminal prosecution, or risk losing your equipment and being permanently banned from commercial flights,' he warned. He added that laws are most commonly broken at festivals, beaches, parks, and tourist spots where individuals are unaware of airspace restrictions, including flying over people and property without permission or near airports or helicopter landing zones without permits. ALSO READ: #CITYNEWS – ABSA DRONE SHOW To remain qualified to operate a drone, you should: • Enrol in a SACAA-approved course • Obtain your Remote Pilot Certificate • Work under a company with a UASOC or establish your own with SACAA approval • Complete the necessary Air Law exam, practical assessments, and medical requirements Dillon stated that if you see someone operating a drone illegally, you can report it on to local police, or to municipalities and aviation safety bodies where applicable. 'The future of drones is full of potential, from film and photography to security, agriculture, and disaster management. 'But if we wish to see this technology develop sustainably and safely, we all need to take responsibility. We must collaborate to protect our airspace and ensure operations are conducted according to correct procedures. 'The industry already has a solid framework of rules and standards, and we must hold accountable those operators who violate them. 'Ultimately, it is the legal operators and registered companies who uphold the industry's reputation. We also have an opportunity, along with the SACAA and other stakeholders, to further refine and adapt regulations as technology evolves. 'This is still a young industry, and by working together, we can ensure a safe, professional, and innovative future for drone operations in South Africa,' he concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Young pilot killed in Lanseria aircraft crash
A 24-year-old pilot was killed and her passenger seriously injured when their aircraft crashed in Lanseria. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the Cessna aircraft with two occupants, a man and a woman, crashed near Hartbeespoort at approximately 10:15 on Thursday. Pretoria Rekord reports that Mickyla Steyn (24) was declared dead on the scene while her passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital. 'Police are investigating a culpable homicide case. Investigation into the matter, including by [the] South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), is underway.' Meanwhile, the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) has confirmed that the crash involved a Cessna 210 with registration ZS-MZJ. 'The aircraft departed from Lanseria International Airport before crashing moments after takeoff, within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve.' 'AIID has dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website within 30 days [of] the date of this accident. 'The AIID extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and injured.' 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!
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- General
- TimesLIVE
Pilot killed, passenger injured as aircraft crashes
A pilot was killed and a passenger injured when a Cessna 210 aircraft crashed in Gauteng on Thursday morning. The accident and incident investigations division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said the aircraft departed from Lanseria International Airport at 10am before crashing moments after take-off, within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. 'There were two on board the aircraft (pilot and passenger) with the pilot fatally injured. The passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to hospital,' SACAA said. The AIID dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the date of this accident. 'The AIID extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and injured.' TimesLIVE
