Civil Aviation Authority, police investigate two aircraft crashes

The Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the police are working together to investigate two aircraft crashes, one of which claimed the lives of three people in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to SACAA’s Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID), a group of three planes had been flying in loose formation across KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday when two of the three planes were involved in accidents.

All three aircraft had been en route from Durban Virginia Airport to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria.

One of the aircraft crashed into a bushy terrain during its approach to Greytown Airport for refuelling. Both pilots onboard were not injured, however, the aircraft was damaged.

 Missing KZN aircraft found: Mlondi Radebe updates

The second aircraft landed safely, while the third aircraft, a ZS-KFB with three occupants, remained unaccounted for, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements Department spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya says, “As announced yesterday by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre that they’ve handed over the matter to the SAPS as well as to the South African Civil Aviation Authority. So, they’ll be managing all the investigations going forward and issued a statement yesterday, they’ve indicated that within 30 days they’ll be in a position to establish a report.”

JUST IN | The missing aircraft that departed from Durban’s Virginia Airport on Sunday has been recovered in KwaZulu-Natal. The bodies of the pilot and two others have also been found. The plane was last tracked flying over Ladysmith towards Greytown. KZN Transport Department… pic.twitter.com/j1bPmJg43B

— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 9, 2025