Durban — A 61-year-old pilot remains missing after his ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft crashed into the sea near Suncoast Beach on Thursday, just before 2 pm, during the final display of an airshow.
According to reports, Emergency services rushed to the scene after witnesses reported seeing the plane plummet into the ocean.
Rescue teams initially recovered some wreckage, but the pilot has not yet been found.
Operations were temporarily halted on Thursday evening due to poor visibility and safety concerns for divers.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that police and private search-and-rescue teams are continuing their efforts.
Another video: https://t.co/YYNo5GdJmR pic.twitter.com/abV8GzbL3E
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 14, 2025
“Police in KwaZulu-Natal are searching for a pilot whose light aircraft crashed into the sea at the Suncoast Beach in Durban on Thursday afternoon. Police search and rescue team, working together with their private counterparts, have recovered some wreckage of the aircraft and the search for the pilot is ongoing,” EWN quoted him as saying.
The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) confirmed that an investigation into the crash is underway. Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Sisa Majola said updates will be provided as further information becomes available.
Meanwhile, the eThekwini Municipality has closed the beach to the public.
“The safety of the public remains our top priority, and we urge all beachgoers to avoid the area while operations are underway,” the City said, according to IOL.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
