The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is investigating the aircraft crash that led to the death of a Kishugu Aviation aerial firefighting pilot, Justin van As (49).
Kishugu Aviation’s Linton Rensburg said they have shifted their focus to attend to the needs of the bereaved family and their crews. He said they are working with the SACCA to determine the cause of the accident.
Sisa Majola of the SACAA said AIID was informed of an accident involving an Air Tractor 802 fixed-wing aircraft near Ngodwana on Wednesday June 21.
The accident was reported at 16:40.
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“The pilot was fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed by the post-impact fire. It had taken off from the old Nelspruit Airport for an aerial firefighting operation at the Sappi plantation in Nooitgedacht, with the intent of returning to the airport.”
He said AIID investigators were dispatched to the accident scene to collect evidence and to gather more information that will assist in defining the size as well as the scope of the investigation.
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Majola said a preliminary report will be issued in 30 days.
