The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have launched a joint investigation into two aircraft crashes that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday — one of which resulted in the deaths of three people.
According to SACAA’s Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID), the incidents involved a group of three light aircraft flying in loose formation from Durban’s Virginia Airport to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria.
The first crash occurred during an attempted refuelling stop at Greytown Airport, where one of the planes went down in bushy terrain. Both pilots onboard survived uninjured, but the aircraft sustained significant damage. A second aircraft landed without incident.
However, the third plane — a ZS-KFB with three occupants — failed to reach its destination, sparking a large-scale search and rescue operation. The aircraft was later found with no survivors.
Spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, confirmed that the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre has officially handed over the matter to SACAA and SAPS.
“They’ll be managing all investigations going forward,” Sibiya said. “The Civil Aviation Authority has committed to producing a preliminary report within 30 days.”
Authorities are expected to release further details once initial findings are confirmed.