2 survive light aircraft crash in Pretoria

A pilot and passenger miraculously escaped unharmed after a light sport aircraft crashed near the M17–N4 in Pretoria, earlier today.

According to South African pilot-instructor Sean Cronin, the pilot and his passenger escaped unharmed.

“It is believed that the pilot experienced engine failure on his final approach. He did a great job of landing the aircraft.”

The sport light aircraft is a Bat Hawk, a conventional three-axis light sport aircraft.

Cronin says the pilot only sustained a small cut on the head while the passenger was left in shock.

The emergency services were quick to respond and provided immediate medical attention to both the pilot and the passenger on the scene.

By the time of publishing, the South African Civil Aviation Authority was on its way to the scene.

Kormorant reports that the small plane crashed shortly before 09:30, and that the crash on the stipulated road occurred near Hornsnek in Pretoria.

“According to information on the scene, the small aircraft took off from a location along the M17, flew to Rosslyn and on its way back, experienced engine trouble. The aircraft crashed in a field in an informal settlement, close to where it took off,” a witness told the newspaper.