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The scene of the plane crash in which two men, described as elderly by paramedics who attended the scene, died Saturday at Hilton, near Pietermaritzburg.
LATEST NEWS – Two men were killed in a plane crash on an airstrip at Hilton, near Pietermaritzburg this afternoon.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but said the men were pronounced dead when they arrived.
ER24 spokesperson Inekevan Huyssteen said ER24 Rescue, as well as SAPS Search and Rescue and the Howick Fire Department, are on the scene as the rescue process is still ongoing.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown, but local authorities are on the scene to conduct further investigations,” Van Huyssteen said.
A plane crashed into Hilton
The accident took place on a farm off D534, which is on Hilton Avenue toward Hilton College. The plane is believed to have taken off from an airstrip called Eva’s Field.
The accident and incident investigation division of the South African Civil Aviation Authority has sent investigators to begin the process of gathering information that will help establish the cause or causes of the accident, said its spokesperson, Kabelo Ledwaba.
Initial reports indicate that the aircraft, with two people, crashed moments after takeoff fatally injuring both occupants. The plane, which is a light sports plane called Bushbaby, had taken off from Eva’s Field, an airstrip in Hilton, and was heading for Umkomaas Airfield, which is located on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, he said.
“The evidence gathering phase, which has already begun and will continue on site, will define the size and scope of the investigation, as well as the expected time frame for completion of a final accident investigation report.
It is vital to note that investigations can vary in complexity and can sometimes take a little time to complete, Ledwaba added.
However, if a critical safety issue is identified during the course of the investigation, the investigation team will immediately notify the relevant parties so that appropriate action can be taken. accident.
In cases where an investigation takes more than 12 months to complete, the investigation team is expected to issue an interim statement to indicate the progress made at that particular time.
The completion of an investigation is marked by the publication of a final accident report, which often contains safety recommendations aimed at improving aviation safety levels and preventing a similar accident, he said.
Persecuted scene media
When The Witness arrived at the scene, a man and a woman were stationed at the entrance to the property where the accident occurred. They insisted that the photographer and reporter from The Witness who had arrived in separate vehicles leave. They said the scene had been cleared. The man said “it’s private property.”
They demanded that the media leave immediately. From the road, the crash site was not visible.
The plane appears to have stopped on a slope in an area of dry scrub. Photos from the scene indicate a dry, rocky hawthorn around the wrinkled remains. The identities of those who died in the crash have yet to be released.
A plane crashed into Hilton
