A serene fly-over at Springs Airfield turned deadly when a light aircraft, carrying a pilot and his passenger, nose-dived onto the grounds yesterday morning.
Motive behind Springs Airfield light aircraft crash under investigation
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The skies over Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, witnessed an abrupt tragedy when a light aircraft plummeted to the ground at Springs Airfield.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning during a closed photography event, claimed the lives of a pilot and a passenger. The Cruiser Homebuilt fixed-wing aircraft took off from Springs Airfield with the intent of returning to the same airstrip, providing photographers with aerial shots before the catastrophe struck.
An earlier dispatch had circulated reports of two fatalities, but confirmation was pending at the time.
However, as the day unfolded, South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) spokesperson, Sisa Majola, affirmed the grim news of the two casualties involved in the crash.
The Springs Advertiser reported the unfolding of this tragedy at the airfield, which now casts a long shadow over the locale.
As per unconfirmed reports, the aircraft had made a few pass-overs for the photographers present below before the fatal descent.
A video shared on social media by Arrive Alive depicted the heart-wrenching aftermath, showcasing the wreckage strewn across the ground, articulating the violent impact of the crash.
Majola remarked,
“The aircraft was destroyed on impact,” painting a stark picture of the calamity.
In the wake of the incident, the Accident and Incident Investigations Division was promptly on site to gather evidence aimed at delineating the size and scope of the investigation.
The SACAA has taken the reins of the investigation, with a pledge to issue a preliminary report within 30 days from the day of the accident.
This report is anticipated to provide insights into the possible causes of the crash and shed light on any underlying issues that may need addressing to prevent future occurrences.