KINKELBOS – Two pilots died on impact after their light aircraft crashed on a farm in Kinkelbos last night, 25 June 2022.
It is alleged that the pilots, aged 25 and 33 left Dawid Stuurman Airport at about 18:15 last night on route to East London however they turned the Sling 2 aircraft around at Kenton-On-Sea and headed back towards Gqeberha. At about 20:07, communication with the aircraft was lost and at about 22:00, SAPS Search and Rescue team including the Diving Unit and Gqeberha K9 unit were mobilised to search for the missing aircraft.
The search was abandoned at 02:30 this morning and resumed at 07:00. The rescue team was assisted by the SA Air Force and the Mountain Club of SA. The aircraft was located via aerial view in bushes on a farm in Kinkelbos.
Both pilots were declared dead on the scene.
Police are investigating an inquest. A post mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of their deaths. Their names are being withheld until their next of kin has been informed.
The cause of the crash will be investigated by civil aviation authorities.
Source: South African Police Service