Fourth aircraft crash in the W Cape in three months

Aviation authorities are investigating two aircraft crashes in less than 24 hours in which five passengers were killed and a pilot injured in South Africa.

The passengers died and the pilot was injured in a police aircraft crash at the Rand Airport in Johannesburg and a student was unharmed at the Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

Acting national commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili has sent condolences on behalf of the SAPS to all affected families and wished the pilot a speedy recovery. Mathe said the police had established a board of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.

An inquest docket has also been opened to determine the cause of death of the five who died in the crash.

Spokesperson for the South African Civil Aviation Authority Sisa Majola said: “The Accident and Incident Investigation Division has been informed of an aircraft accident that occurred at the Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday.

“It is vital to point out that investigations can vary in complexity, with more complex investigations requiring more time to conclude.

“However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the investigating team will immediately notify relevant parties so that appropriate action can be taken,” he said.

A preliminary report of the incident is expected to be issued within 30 days from the day of the accident ahead of the final report.

“In case the investigation cannot be concluded within 12 months, the interim statement is to be issued indicating the progress of the investigation.

“The completion of an investigation is marked by the release of a final accident report, which often contain safety recommendations aimed at improving the levels of aviation safety and the prevention of a similar accident,” Majola concluded.

The accident happened two months after Weekend Argus reported that two people sustained injuries in a plane crash in Worcester early in July.

That accident took place 11 days after two occupants were injured when a light aircraft went down on the evening of June 28 in Lower Crossroads, Cape Town.

Another light aircraft made an emergency landing on the R44 close to Winery Road in Stellenbosch leaving two passengers injured on June 1, making it four incidents in three months.