Two pilots were tragically killed in a light aircraft crash in the Klipgat area of the North West yesterday evening.  

The pilots had taken off from Grand Central Airport in Midrand, Gauteng, and were travelling in a Sling 2 aircraft. 

Gregory Critchley, the chief at the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), says they received a distress alert from the aircraft’s emergency locator beacon at around 18:00. 

Crash 

“Following investigations, it was confirmed that a light aircraft carrying two occupants had crashed,” says Critchley. 

“ARCC immediately activated first responders through the North West and Gauteng early warning networks. Tragically, both occupants sustained fatal injuries,” says Critchley. 

Sisa Majola, the spokesperson for the South African Civil Aviation Authority, says the aircraft had taken off from the airport with the intention of returning to the same airfield. 

Investigation 

“Investigators have engaged with air traffic control in the area, and it has been confirmed that no emergency call was made prior to the accident,” he says.

Majola adds that both occupants were pilots. 

Majola says investigators from its Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID) are on their way to the accident scene to conduct preliminary investigative work, including collecting evidence.   

“The information gathered will form part of a preliminary report to be issued within 30 days of the occurrence. The AIID extends its sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased,” adds Majola.  

Other incidents 

Earlier this month, there were two aircraft crashes. The first crash involved a Piper Cherokee 140 fixed-wing in Midrand, and the second a seven-seater helicopter in Germiston.  

The crashes involved two flight instructors and two student pilots, who sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. 

The crashes are also being investigated by the AIID. 

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