Funeral preparations begin for three young victims of a tragic plane crash
Funeral preparations are under way for three victims who perished in a plane crash on Sunday.
The Department of Transport and Human Settlements said Nqobile Biyela, 23, Lulama Msane 23, both young pilots, and Siphesihle Buthelezi 20, a medical student were aboard an aircraft that’s wreckage was located in Greytown by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre team.
Department spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, confirmed that the post mortem process has been wrapped up.
He added that the mortal remains will be handed over to the respective families for burial.
The three were believed to have part of a loose formation that departed from the Virgina Airport in Durban and were travelling to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria, with an intent of refuelling at the Ladysmith Airport in northern KZN.
The department said that since the Ladysmith Airport did not have night facilities, the formation of the three aircraft diverted to nearby Greytown Airport.
“The first plane, a Piper Cherokee, crashed into bushy terrain on approach to the Greytown Airport. The two pilots on board were not injured but the aircraft was damaged. The second aircraft landed safely.
“On Monday, there was an official search for the third aircraft that concluded with the wreckage being located in Greytown by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre team,” Sibiya said.
The Accident and Incident Investigations Division investigators have been dispatched on both sites to collate evidence.
IOL