Memorial service for late helicopter pilot

RELATIVES, friends and colleagues of the late Working on Fire (WOF) pilot Nico Heyns will pay tribute to him during a memorial service on Sunday.

Heyns was killed on Tuesday when his helicopter crashed while battling the fires in Vermaaklikheid in the Garden Route region.

The fires destroyed nine structures and scorched about 5000ha.

WOF expressed its sadness over Heyns’ death, describing him as a respected, dedicated pilot and long-standing friend of the firefighting fraternity.

He was well-known beyond the line of duty.

Heyns has helped fight countless fires including last year’s Knysna fires.

Trevor Abrahams chairperson of for going Kishugu Aviation said Heyns was one of the most experienced firefighting pilots with more than 15 years’ experience in aerial firefighting.

“He recently returned from leave and was fully competent and fit to fly the Huey Helicopter in terms of SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations. We will forever remember his heroic efforts during the Knysna fires. Together with the family of Nico and the broader firefighting fraternity we pay homage and respect to a true gentleman who remained forever committed to saving lives and protecting our environment.

Kishugu Aviation and WOF will be joining the family in a special memorial service for Heyns, more details on the service will be announced soon.

Abrahams said the SACAA accident investigators have concluded their site visit of the Huey helicopter accident at Vermaaklikheid and the wreckage has now been removed.

“The Accident and Incident Investigation division in the SACAA is by law the authority that is entrusted to do a full and proper investigation to determine the probable cause of this accident and we ask for people to be patient as they go about their investigations.

“We have confidence that the SACAA will conduct a thorough investigation.

“There is no basis for any speculation at this stage on what the possible causes could be and we discourage anyone from doing so,” he said.

Anyone who has information relating to this accident has been asked to avail such evidence to the accident investigators.

WORKING ON FIRE THE Vermaaklikheid fire was contained after additional resources including 100 firefighters from the Department of Environmental Affairs, Working on Fire programmes as well as a Huey helicopter and two fixed wing air tractor 802 bombers were deployed. |