Condolences for firefighting pilot who died in crash near Ngodwana

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s minister, Barbara Creecy, has released a statement expressing her deepest condolences for the family of Kishugu Aviation aerial firefighting pilot, Justin van As (49).

Van As tragically died in an aircraft crash while busy with an aerial firefighting operation near Ngodwana on Wednesday afternoon, June 21.

“At a time of great sadness for the family of Justin van As as well as the firefighting fraternity, I salute Justin’s bravery and dedication to his work,” said Creecy in the statement.

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“I wish to pay homage and respect to a true firefighting hero who remained forever committed to saving lives and protecting our environment.”

The statement went on to say that Van As, who was born in Klerksdorp, had joined Kishugu Aviation on May 1 in 2019 as a fixed-wing water bomber pilot.

It said Van As leaves behind his 18-year-old son and his wife, Amelia.

Van As was a keen reader, especially of historical events, and loved research and philosophising about his readings, according to the statement.

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“The safety of our pilots and ground crews remains a top priority, and Kishugu Aviation will be working with South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to determine the cause of the accident,” said Creecy.

“We are unfortunately unable to provide any further details at this stage,” she said.

Kishugu Aviation, of Kishugu Holdings, provides aerial firefighting services in the form of aircraft, aircraft support vehicles and pilots to the Working on Fire programme. The programme is a joint venture between the department and Kishugu.

Kishugu Aviation’s spokesperson, Linton Rensburg, said the team was deeply saddened by the passing of Van As and that the team extends its heartfelt condolences to his family.
Rensburg said Kishugu will be making grief and trauma counselling available to Van As’s family and its aerial and ground crews.

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Sisa Majola of the SACAA previously told Lowvelder that the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) was informed of an accident involving an Air Tractor 802 fixed-wing aircraft near Ngodwana at 16:40.

“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.
Majola said a preliminary report will be issued in 30 days.