A pilot has died after his aircraft spiralled uncontrolled and crashed at an air present in South Africa.
The crash occurred on the West Coast Air Present in Saldanha, a city about 70 miles (110 km) north of Cape City, on Saturday.
Video footage exhibits the aircraft spinning mid-air earlier than plummeting to the bottom.
In a press release shared on social media, organisers of the present named the pilot as James O’Connell.
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Organisers of the occasion in South Africa have paid tribute to check pilot James O’Connell. Pic: West Coast Air Present
“It is with profound sadness that the organisers of the West Coast Airshow confirm a fatal accident involving James O’Connell, a highly skilled and respected test pilot from South Africa,” the assertion stated.
“Mr O’Connell was performing a routine display intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the Impala Mark 1 – a beloved warbird with deep historical significance for many South Africans. It was especially a huge moment because the Impala has not been seen performing at air shows for many years.
“The manoeuvres had been being executed as a part of the official air present programme, witnessed by 1000’s of spectators.
“Eyewitness accounts report that the aircraft appeared to be under control during most of the display. However, during one of the final manoeuvres, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and entered a steep dive before making contact with the ground.”
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Pic: West Coast Air Present
Organisers stated there was no signal the pilot made an try to eject.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with James’s family, loved ones, and everyone affected by this very tragic event,” they added.
No different accidents had been reported.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the South African Air Drive’s accident unit are investigating the incident.
The authority’s accident and incident investigations division is working with occasion security officers to “collate preliminary information”, he added.
Additional updates will likely be shared when extra data is accessible, organisers of the present stated.
