Two senior South African Air Force pilots are in a serious condition in a Western Cape hospital after their aircraft suffered an apparent malfunction and crashed on take-off.
The pair‚ a lieutenant-colonel and a captain‚ were taking off from Langebaanweg Air Force Base — which is the air force’s flight training school — outside Langebaanweg‚ during the early hours of Thursday morning when the crash occurred.
The aircraft‚ a Cessna Caravan‚ which is a light transport aeroplane‚ crashed onto the R45 as the pilots flew over the base perimeter.
It is believed the pilots‚ who are from 41 Squadron in Pretoria‚ were taking part in a routine night-flying training exercise.
In a statement‚ South African National Defence Force spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the pilots were recovered from the wreckage by the base’s rescue unit.
“Both pilots sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been hospitalised.”
He said a board of inquiry had been established to determine the cause of the accident.
SAAF pilots in hospital after night-flying crash
Two senior South African Air Force pilots are in a serious condition in a Western Cape hospital after their aircraft suffered an apparent malfunction and crashed on take-off.
The pair‚ a lieutenant-colonel and a captain‚ were taking off from Langebaanweg Air Force Base — which is the air force’s flight training school — outside Langebaanweg‚ during the early hours of Thursday morning when the crash occurred.
The aircraft‚ a Cessna Caravan‚ which is a light transport aeroplane‚ crashed onto the R45 as the pilots flew over the base perimeter.
It is believed the pilots‚ who are from 41 Squadron in Pretoria‚ were taking part in a routine night-flying training exercise.
In a statement‚ South African National Defence Force spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the pilots were recovered from the wreckage by the base’s rescue unit.
“Both pilots sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been hospitalised.”
He said a board of inquiry had been established to determine the cause of the accident.