Pilot survives freak aircraft crash
A SAVANNAH S aircraft crashed just off the Old Mtubatuba Road in Empangeni last Thursday, with the pilot walking away from the scene unscathed.
‘Four foreigners rented aircraft at Robertsvale Airfield in East London to embark on a national aerial tour,’ said a source.
‘On Thursday afternoon at 3pm, all four aircraft were scheduled to land at the Empangeni airfield.
‘But owing to the strong winds, one landed short, crashing and damaging the undercarriage of the plane.’
Bystander Billy Badenhorst told the ZO that the aircraft attempted to land on the tar road because of the windy conditions, when a bus appeared.
‘The pilot managed to dodge the bus, but the landing wheels clipped a fence.
‘There were no injuries, but in my opinion the plane is a writeoff.’
Savannah Aircraft Africa Director Dave Prioleau confirmed the aircraft belonged to Flying Frontiers.
The pilot was not available for comment.