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A light aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Lanseria International Airport on Thursday morning, killing the pilot and leaving a passenger seriously injured.
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The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) confirmed that the incident involved a Cessna 210 aircraft, which went down within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, located near Lanseria airport north-west of Johannesburg.
Emergency services responded to the scene around 10am. The passenger, who sustained serious injuries, was airlifted to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
“There were two on board the aircraft (pilot and passenger), with the pilot fatally injured. The passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital,” said SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola.
The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID), a unit of SACAA, has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the crash. Investigators were dispatched to the site shortly after the incident. The destination of the flight remains unclear.
“AID has dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the date of this accident,” Majola added. “The AID extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and injured.”
This is the second fatal light aircraft incident in recent weeks, The Citizen reports. In May, a couple lost their lives in a crash near Middelburg, also under investigation by the AIID.
Authorities continue to monitor the Lanseria site while evidence is collected to determine the cause of the crash.
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