Pilot killed in light aircraft crash next to N14 in Centurion

One person has been killed in a light aircraft crash next to the N14 highway in Centurion.

It is understood the accident happened just after 8am in Knoppieslaagte on Wednesday.

Crashed in river

Emer-G-Med paramedics spokesperson Kyle van Reenen said when they arrived at the scene they found the light fixed-wing aircraft in a river adjacent to the N14 highway.

He said there was only one occupant in the aircraft when it crashed.

“The pilot, who was the only occupant in the aircraft, was declared dead on arrival of paramedics. The scene was secured and handed over to the South African Police Service (Saps) and civil aviation authorities for further investigations and processes.”

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Air crash investigation

The South African Civil Aviation Authority’s (SACAA) Sisa Majola told The Citizen the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) is investigating the crash.

“There was one occupant onboard, who sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.”

“The AIID does have investigators on-site to start the process of evidence collection and to gather more information that will define the size and scope of the investigation as well as the timeframe for the issuance of a final report,” Majola said.

Majola added a preliminary report will be issued within 30 days from the day of this accident.

“Should a critical safety issue be identified, the investigating team will then immediately notify relevant parties so that appropriate action can be taken,” he said.

Plane crash

Last month, two people were killed during a training flight when the light aircraft they were flying in crashed into the side of a mine dump alongside FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg.

The SACAA said the crash happened at around 9am.

The aviation authority said a preliminary report would be issued in 30 days.

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