The accident took place at the Springs Airfield at about 5.15pm.
Walter’s wife Liza de Lange says he was a wonderful husband and father.
They have two children, daughter Temea (14) and son Gerrit (7).
Liza says Temea was close to her father and is traumatised by his death.
She describes Gerrit as “devastated”.
“Walter always loved flying and he was over the moon when he received his pilot licence,” she says.
Liza is grateful for the support she and her children received from Walter’s friends and colleagues at SkyReach – a company based at the airfield, and where he was employed.
Aubrey Nkoana, an investigator from the South African Civil Aviation Authority, says a thorough investigation will take place to determine the cause of the crash.
While it has not been confirmed, it is believed Walter lost control of the aircraft.
A report on the findings will also help prevent similar accidents from taking place.
It it believed Walter took to the sky on Tuesday to pay tribute to a friend who had died in an accident in a similar aircraft, over the weekend.
A banner bearing the friend’s name and the words ‘RIP’ was found at the scene of the crash.
Instructors from a flight school on the premises saw the crash, and were on the scene within minutes of it happening.
Ekurhuleni Emergency Services arrived shortly thereafter.
Rudi Beukes from emergency services says when he arrived at the scene, Walter had already been declared dead.
Although there was nothing more they could do, emergency services were on standby in case a fire started – it is believed the microlight’s engine was still warm and there was leaking fuel.
The funeral was held at the AGS Brandpunt in Impala Park, Boksburg, on Wednesday (June 3).
