Durban – The search for two missing light aircraft in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands concluded in tragedy on Thursday morning when rescue teams located the second aircraft and confirmed the pilot had suffered fatal injuries.
Earlier, on Wednesday evening, the first aircraft was found near Howick West, with its pilot also declared dead.
The two aircraft, en route from Johannesburg to Margate, had issued a Mayday call on Wednesday amid heavy fog in the Nottingham Road area.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya says they have received information that the second of the two aircraft that crashed yesterday has been located. Newzroom Afrika’s @SilethiweNdlovu has more.
Watch: https://t.co/SUl5Ok7jpe#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/4R3mnH5S5E
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 16, 2025
The Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) and the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit led the operation, assisted by multiple local and provincial agencies.
Rescue efforts were hampered by thick mist and drizzle, which persisted throughout the search period.
Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma expressed his condolences to the families of the two pilots and confirmed that recovery operations were underway.
The second aircraft has been found: Duma receives a report from experts from the Aeronautical Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centrehttps://t.co/pGtKWeX3Gz#ArriveAlive #PlaneCrash @KZNTransport pic.twitter.com/FdPVc88Zi6
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 16, 2025
The South African Civil Aviation Authority’s Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division has initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
The incident adds to a series of fatal aviation accidents in KwaZulu-Natal this year, raising ongoing concerns about flight safety in the region.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
