Recovery of SAAF crash bodies underway

A Cessna Caravan

A Cessna Caravan

Published Jun 17, 2014

Share

Johannesburg - Rescue teams were still on site late on Tuesday extracting the bodies of the dead from the SA Air Force aircraft which crashed near Lydenburg.

SAPS Mpumalanga spokesman Brigadier Selby Mohlala confirmed that five people, all SANDF members, were on the aircraft.

The pilot, co-pilot and one passenger died on impact, said Mohlala.

The other two passengers were injured and were flown to a Nelspruit hospital by the SANDF.

Mohlala said reports were that the weather had been fine.

The Department of Defence's Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga said the Cessna Caravan C208 from 41 Squadron crashed near Lydenburg in Mpumalanga at about 10.30am.

“The caravan formed part of 41 Squadron that participated in an operations training camp in the Lydenburg area,” said Mabanga.

“A preliminary investigation is convened that will be followed by a Board of Enquiry, to determine the cause of the accident.

“The names of the deceased will be released as soon as next-of-kin are being informed.”

Mabanga had no information on the damage to the aircraft.

[email protected]

The Star

Related Topics: