Two dead in light aircraft crash at Morningstar Airfield near Cape Town
In a devastating turn of events, a light aircraft crash near Morningstar Airfield claimed the lives of two individuals shortly after take-off on Sunday, according to a Cape Argus report. The Sling 2 aircraft, bearing the registration ZU-FWF, was reportedly airborne for only a brief period when it tragically went down, prompting urgent investigations by both the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and local police.
According to the SACAA’s Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID), the ill-fated flight took off at approximately 11am, with a flight instructor and a private licence holder aboard. “The two occupants were fatally wounded while the aircraft itself was substantially damaged during the impact sequence,” the AIID confirmed in a statement.
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The Cape Argus reported that emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of the crash, which occurred at approximately 12:40pm near Vissershok airfield, located in Philadelphia. Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed that both occupants succumbed to their injuries sustained in the incident. “This office can confirm a fatal airplane crash on Sunday,” Van Wyk stated, underscoring the tragic outcome of the accident.
As investigators began their work on-site, the AIID expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased, who have not yet been publicly named pending formal notifications to their relatives. The police have opened an inquest docket, which will run concurrently with the SACAA’s comprehensive investigation into the crash. A preliminary report is anticipated to be released on the SACAA website within 30 days, detailing the findings of the early investigation.
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The incident has sparked a wave of concern within the local aviation community, as the Shannon Injury Report reflects an ongoing commitment to ensuring flight safety. Authorities continue to gather evidence and witness statements in the hope of clarifying the circumstances leading to this tragic loss of life.
In the wake of the crash, authorities are urging anyone with further information to come forward as investigations unfold, allowing them to piece together the events that led to this heart-wrenching tragedy.
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