HILLCREST pilot David Grosvenor and the chief flying instructor at the Pietermaritzburg Aero Club, Alick Rennie, were found dead after their plane crashed into a sugarcane field in Richmond.
The plane was reported missing after it did not return to Oribi airport in Pietermaritzburg from where it had earlier taken off.
Werner Vermaak, ER24 communications manager said: “A major search operation was initiated yesterday afternoon when reports were received of a light aircraft that went missing shortly after it took off from Oribi Airport in Pietermaritzburg. ER24 along with the Pietermaritzburg SAP K9 Search and Rescue Unit deployed members to the area in Pietermaritzburg where contact was last made with the aircraft.
“Late last night the search was called off due to poor visibility accompanied by rain and mist. Earlier this morning the searched resumed.
“While the team was searching the surrounding areas, the SAP K9 Search and Rescue Unit received a report from another aircraft that they spotted the crash site in a sugarcane field in Richmond, approximately 45 kilometres outside Pietermaritzburg. Ground rescue units made their way to the given location and found the light aircraft in the field.
“On further inspection they found that two adults were still inside the aircraft. Both of them sustained extensive injuries and were deceased for some time. ER24 paramedics declared them dead on the scene,” said Vermaak.
At this stage the exact cause of the crash is not known and will be investigated by the local police and the Civil Aviation Authority.
