a day ago
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.
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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.
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