Pilot who died in light aircraft crash laid to rest
“His passing is extremely sad. His burial service was held on Monday, he leaves behind a wife, son and daughter. We are shocked and devastated.”
The private pilot, whose death in an aviation accident in the east of Pretoria last month shocked friends and family, was buried on Monday.
Neville Ferreira (53) leaves behind a wife, son and daughter. He was found dead on arrival in a KR2 light aircraft on Thursday, (October 28) afternoon when it crashed on the farm Tierpoort, close to the privately owned Kitty Hawk Aerodrome.
Emer-G-Med spokesperson Kyle van Reenen said they responded to the call at “just after 14:00 where a light aircraft crashed in an open field close to the Boschkop Road”.
“The deceased was the only occupant and was declared dead on arrival by paramedics. He sustained serious injuries.”
Dawie Pretorius, airfield manager at Kitty Hawk Aerodrome, said the incident is currently being investigated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
“Since they are investigating the matter, I cannot discuss the incident; however, not many people saw what happened.
“His passing is extremely sad. His burial service was held on Monday. We are shocked and devastated.”
Pretorius said he has known Neville for the past five or six years.
“He was such a pleasant man, very endearing. He was a very good pilot.”
Another friend, Andrew Evans, said he has known Neville socially from flying.
“Neville came from an aviation family. His father, Seun Ferreira, was a charter pilot. I met him when we were members of the Aerobatic Club of South Africa a while back.
“Neville enjoyed flying aerobatics and competed on the highest level. He was also a popular airshow pilot.”
On Facebook, friends sympathised with his death.
Chris Visagie said: “To my good friend, show the angels how to fly as you do. You went doing what you loved to do. Until we meet on the other side again.”
Hantie de Bruyn Neveling said: “Fly with the angels, my old friend.”
Rekord was unsuccessful in its attempt to contact the family.
SACAA and police have not yet responded at the time of going to press.
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