Aircraft crash in KZN leaves three young pilots dead

A training flight from Durban’s Virgina airport ended in tragedy on Sunday night when three young trainee pilots lost their lives after their aircraft crashed near Greytown.

Two other pilots involved in the same flight operation (in two other planes) survived separate incidents.

The ill-fated flight was part of a loosely coordinated formation of three light aircraft that took off from Virginia Airport in Durban.

Their destination was Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria, with a planned refuelling stop at the Ladysmith Airport in northern KZN. However, due to the lack of night landing facilities at Ladysmith, all three aircraft diverted to Greytown Airport.

Tragedy struck as the aircraft attempted to reach its alternate destination. The first accident occurred when a Piper Cherokee (registration ZS-CZU) crashed into dense bush during its approach to the Greytown Airport. Fortunately, both pilots on board escaped uninjured, though the aircraft sustained significant damage.

The second aircraft landed safely. The third aircraft, a Piper Cherokee with registration ZS-KFB, disappeared from radar.

An extensive overnight search was launched by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre(ARCC) and concluded the following morning, Monday, June 9, with the discovery of the wreckage near Greytown. All three occupants were declared dead at the scene by the South African Police Services.

Among those who died was a 23-year-old trainee pilot, Nqobile Biyela.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, expressed deep sorrow at the loss.

“We salute the intelligent and brave young pilot student Ms Nqobile Biyela. Losing such a young, promising leader in the aviation sector is a devastating blow,” Mr Duma said, adding that it was an incredibly painful period for the Biyela family, and the department was in contact with Ms Biyela's mother to offer support.

The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) has launched formal investigations into both aircraft incidents. Investigators have been dispatched to both crash sites to gather evidence, with a preliminary report expected to be published on the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s website within 30 days.

Mr Duma commended the swift and coordinated efforts of the search and rescue teams, including ARCC, SAPS Search and Rescue, Okhahlamba Fire and Rescue, the Search and Rescue Zone Association, KZN Provincial EMS, Hamnet, ER24, Netcare911, Berg Flying, the Greytown G911 Umboti Community Services, MTN, and the Bhanoyi Airfield Estate.

“This tragedy highlights the risks our young pilots face while training, and the need for continued support and improvements in aviation infrastructure,” he said.

He noted that the Department of Transport remained committed to upgrading facilities at key airports across the province, including Virginia, Margate, Oribi, Umkhuze, and Richards Bay.