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Plane goes down at the Saldanha Airfield, Cape Town; Western Cape
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has launched an investigation into a fatal plane crash that occurred during the West Coast Airshow near Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape.
A video circulating on social media shows the Impala MK 1 jet losing control near the hangar buildings at Saldanha Bay Airport before crashing and bursting into flames. Veteran pilot James O’Connel was killed on impact.
SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola says a preliminary report on the investigation will be released within 30 days.
“The Accident and Incident Investigations Division has arrived at the site of the accident in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. They are working with the event safety officers to collate all of the preliminary information that forms part of the investigation where a report will be issued in 30 days from the day of the accident,” Majola says.
“One aspect that I can confirm at this point is that there was one confirmed fatality and it was the pilot on board. All information and all of the necessary updates will be provided in due course,” he added.
Tragedy at West Coast Airshow as small plane crashes
