Johannesburg – Three people have died in a helicopter crash in the Northern Cape, bringing the total number of fatalities in aviation-related accidents in South Africa to six in the past two weeks.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday when an Alouette helicopter crashed at Kurumanheuwels in Danielskuil, while travelling from Elandsvlakte to Olifantshoek. The Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID) unit of the SA Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the details of the tragedy.
"All three occupants on board – a pilot and two other people – were fatally injured," the AIID said in a statement. "The helicopter itself was substantially damaged because of the impact force and the post-impact fire destroyed the aircraft."
This incident marks the fifth aviation-related accident in the past fortnight, a period that has seen a concerning rise in fatalities within the South African aviation sector.
On the same day as the Northern Cape helicopter crash, a pilot and his student had a lucky escape when their light aircraft crashed into a school tuckshop at Hoërskool Alberton, Ekurhuleni. The incident occurred after the aircraft experienced engine failure, but thankfully, both occupants emerged unharmed.
Last week, another pilot tragically died when his Cessna 206, which had departed from Eswatini and was en route to Kruger National Park, crashed in Mpumalanga. The AIID reported that the aircraft had been reported missing shortly after take-off.
"The aircraft lost communication with air traffic control and was reported missing soon after departing the King Mswati III International Airport, Mbabane, Eswatini, en route for Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit," the AIID stated. The wreckage was later discovered in Barberton, with the pilot, who was the sole occupant, deceased.
Two days prior to the Mpumalanga crash, two pilots lost their lives in separate aircraft crashes in KwaZulu-Natal. Reports at the time indicated that both aircraft had been flying in a loose formation from Secunda Airport en route to Margate Airport on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
The recent spate of accidents has raised concerns about aviation safety in South Africa. The AIID is currently investigating all incidents to determine the causes and prevent future tragedies.
These recent incidents contribute to a grim statistic: more than 50 people have lost their lives in aviation accidents across South Africa since the beginning of the year. The aviation authorities are facing increasing pressure to address safety concerns and implement measures to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities in the country's skies.
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