3 passengers in light aircraft that went missing in KZN confirmed dead
The aircraft, which left Virginia Airport in Durban on Sunday afternoon, was last tracked flying over Ladysmith before a multi-disciplinary search was initiated.
Picture: Pixabay.com
JOHANNESBURG - Three passengers on board a light aircraft that went missing in KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend have died.
The provincial Department of Transport confirmed the news in a statement on Monday afternoon.
The aircraft, which left Virginia Airport in Durban on Sunday afternoon, was last tracked flying over Ladysmith before a multi-disciplinary search was initiated.
Transport Department spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya: “ARCC [Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre] informed us that they will be handing over the matter to the SAPS (South African Police Service)’s accident and incident investigation division and the South African Civil Aviation Authority for the official investigation.
Sibiya says they're communicating with the family of one of the victims as they try to locate other victims' families.
“In particular, we are in touch with Ms Zama Biyela, the mother of the late student pilot Ms Nqobile Biyela. This is the most difficult period for her and the entire family. Losing such a young, great leader with a promising career in the aviation industry, under such circumstances, is not only tragic but devastating. Officials from my office and Ayanda Msweli, the country’s leading traffic anchor, are in touch with the Biyela family, and we will locate other families to express our condolences.”