The search for two pilots, who lost communication, has ended after it was established that they died on impact when their light aircraft crashed on a farm in Kinkelbos in the Eastern Cape, the SA Police Service (SAPS) said on Sunday.
The fatal crash occurred Saturday night.
“It is alleged that the pilots, aged 25 and 33 left Dawid Stuurman Airport at about 18:15 last night on route to East London however they turned the Sling 2 aircraft around at Kenton-On-Sea and headed back towards Gqeberha [Formerly Port Elizabeth],” said SAPS Colonel Priscilla Naidu.
“At about 20:07, communication with the aircraft was lost and at about 22:00, SAPS Search and Rescue team including the Diving Unit and Gqeberha K9 unit were mobilised to search for the missing aircraft.”
Eastern Cape Emergency Medical Services said when the small aircraft – routing to East London, but having to return to Gqeberha as an Emergency – had become overdue a “search and rescue” was activated.
The rescue team was assisted by the SA Air Force and the Mountain Club of SA.
The SAPS said the search was abandoned at 02:30 Sunday morning and resumed a few hours later, at 07:00.
“The aircraft was located via aerial view in bushes on a farm in Kinkelbos,” said Colonel Naidu.
“Both pilots were declared dead on the scene.”
Police are investigating an inquest.
“A post mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of their deaths. Their names are being withheld until their next of kin has been informed,” said Colonel Naidu.
The cause of the crash will be investigated by civil aviation authorities.
