Charmaine Nkosi
A light aircraft participating in an airshow crashed into the ocean off Durban North Beach near Suncoast Casino on Thursday afternoon, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation for the missing pilot.
The aircraft was part of a scheduled aerial display at Virginia Airport, held alongside the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit 2025.
The event was hosted by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
According to Themba Thabethe, Head of the Accident Investigation Unit in South Africa, the incident occurred during one of the pilot’s final manoeuvres.
“Footage is still being reviewed to determine the cause of the crash. Debris has washed ashore, and some has been recovered by rescue units. We’re currently analysing all available data from an accident investigation perspective,” Thabethe stated.
Emergency services, including ALS Paramedics, SAPS, Metro Police Search and Rescue, and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), responded swiftly to the scene.
Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for ALS Paramedics, confirmed that the crash occurred shortly before 2pm.
“Unfortunately, the pilot remains missing. Due to poor visibility and the onset of darkness, the search has been suspended for the night.
Teams will regroup and resume operations on Friday morning,” Jamieson said.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal police, also confirmed the ongoing search efforts.
“The pilot was showcasing his skills as part of the airshow when the aircraft went down. Some wreckage has been recovered, and our Search and Rescue teams, along with private partners, are continuing efforts to locate the pilot.”
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area while investigations and recovery operations continue. The search is expected to resume at first light on Friday, 15
