The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre has confirmed that the pilot of one of its two light aircraft that disappeared on Wednesday has been killed.

The aircraft has been located in the west of Howick in KwaZulu-Natal.

A search team, involving the SAPS, is now focusing on locating the second plane.

The centre’s Gregory Critchley says, “Both aircraft then failed to arrive at their destination. So, the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre activated the search and rescue teams in the KwaZulu-Natal province to locate both aircraft. Just before 6:00 last night, we located the first aircraft, and it was found that the pilot, the sole occupant, was very injured.”

“And the search and rescue teams continue to look for the second missing aircraft. So, our priority now is to locate the second aircraft. We will continue the search until we locate the aircraft. We’ve got all hope of finding the aircraft early this morning.”