Young student pilot Nqobile Biyela and two others have been found dead after their aircraft went missing on Sunday. The devastating discovery follows a plane crash.
Young student pilot Nqobile Biyela and two other people have been found dead after their aircraft went missing on Sunday.
Their bodies were discovered in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands after a search that included several rescue teams.
The student pilot, who was not legally permitted to carry passengers under South African aviation regulations, was flying with two people onboard at the time of the fatal crash.
The plane took off from Virginia Airport at around 3pm on 8 June. It never reached its destination and was last seen flying over Ladysmith. It was heading south towards Pietermaritzburg or Greytown.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlement, Siboniso Duma, said search teams worked quickly and professionally to locate the aircraft.
“Sadly, ARCC informed us that all three people on board the aircraft have died,” said Duma.
He confirmed that the matter has now been handed over to the South African Police Service’s Accident and Incident Investigation Division and the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased passengers,” said Duma.
Duma said his department has been in touch with Zama Biyela, the mother of Nqobile, and described the loss as tragic.
“Losing such a young and promising leader in the aviation industry is devastating,” he said.
He praised the many rescue teams involved, including the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre, SAPS Search and Rescue, Fire and Rescue Okhahlamba, ER24, Netcare911, and several others.
On Monday, the Department of Transport also gave an update on plans to improve the aviation industry. This includes upgrades at airports like Margate, Oribi, Umkhuze, Richards Bay and Virginia.
They said they are working closely with the South African Civil Aviation Authority, the Airport Company of South Africa and other departments to make flying safer.
The South African Weather Service also sent out a warning of possible snowfall in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday evening.
Pictured above: A young student pilot and two passengers were found dead
