Mourning young pilots who died in KwaZulu-Natal

A SOMBRE cloud hangs over the aviation community after two young pilots lost their lives in separate aircraft crashes in KwaZulu-Natal this week, prompting tributes, official investigations, and urgent efforts to repatriate one of the victims to India.

Martin Brown, 33, a businessman and director of the Secunda-based marketing firm Digi Mag, and 25-year-old Mayank, whose first name is unknown, an Indian national from New Delhi, both died on Wednesday after their aircrafts went missing in poor weather conditions.

It is believed the two planes had departed in loose formation from Secunda Airport in Mpumalanga, heading to Margate on the KZN South Coast, when they encountered difficulties.

Search teams from the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) located the wreckage near Nottingham Road and atop a mountain near Boston the following day.

The Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division has confirmed that a team was on-site to collect evidence, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.

Brown, 33, was the director of Digi Mag, specialists in marketing, printing, signs and banners.

His brother, Wiehan, said the tragic accident has shocked  the family.

"Martin loved flying as a hobby. On that day he was flying to Margate airport to fetch colleagues. He would hire aircrafts if he needed to fetch people or if he wanted to go away on weekends.

"He was a licensed pilot. He first had his helicopter license and then got his fix-wing license. He was an outgoing, people-loving person," said Wiehan.

Brown's funeral will take place in Secunda on Friday.

Digi Mag expressed their deep sorrow in a heartfelt social media post, stating: "Today, we say goodbye to more than just our director. We say goodbye to a great leader, a loyal friend, and the best boss anyone could ask for.

"You loved Digi Mag with all your heart and gave so much of yourself to this team and this vision. Your kindness, humour, and passion will never be forgotten. You built more than a business. You built a family. You will be deeply missed, but your spirit will always live on in everything we do."

Secunda High School in a message said not only did they lose a phenomenal alumna, but a genuine human being and dedicated supporter.

"Martin Brown, you had a big heart for our school. You and your family have been part of the heartbeat of Secunda High School for years."

Mayank was pursuing his pilot training at Aviation Junction Flying School Secunda Airfield (FASC).

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has assured the family of the Indian pilot that all efforts were being made to fast-track the repatriation of his remains to India.

Duma extended his condolences to both families and said a dedicated team from his office had been assigned to assist the bereaved.

“Mayank was the only son, and the family is devastated. We can imagine the pain of waiting for the remains of your only child who died tragically in another country,” said Duma, adding, “Our prayers are with the Brown family, the aviation school, instructors, and friends."

The MEC said that his department has been in close communication with the Consulate General of India in Durban and other key authorities to expedite the repatriation process.

A WhatsApp group has been set up to keep Mayank’s family in India informed of all developments, while the Departments of Health and Home Affairs have been working to complete the necessary postmortem and documentation.

Duma confirmed that postmortems on both pilots were completed on Friday, following strict forensic aviation protocols.

“All the necessary documents to facilitate the international movement of the body from KZN to Johannesburg and India were processed last night (Friday) in consultation with the Indian Consulate. The death notice is being finalised by Home Affairs today,” he said.

Duma also acknowledged the assistance of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, whose staff were helping to coordinate the repatriation of the deceased pilot’s remains to India.

Duma further noted the importance of developing a provincial pilot population register to strengthen the aviation sector and better understand its human resource needs.

“The aviation industry has lost much-needed skills,” he said.

“Globally, there are about 382,000 active commercial pilots, and the sector will require between 267,000 and 660,000 new pilots in the next two decades. South Africa alone has 204 experienced pilots within SAA.”

He added that his department would engage with SAA, the SA Civil Aviation Authority, and aviation schools to ensure the sustainable development of future pilots.

The Indian Consulate in Durban confirmed that they were in touch with Mayank's family, and all possible assistance has been rendered.

"We are working with the South African authorities for early transportation of the mortal remains to India," read a statement from their office.

In a separate incident last week, 20-year-old Piyush Pushp, from Ranchi in India, died in a plane crash during pilot training in Johannesburg.

He was undergoing flight training at the Vulcan Aviation Institute, an aviation academy in Johannesburg.

According to preliminary information shared by the institute, the training aircraft developed a sudden technical malfunction mid-air, leading to the crash.

Pushp sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a local hospital in Johannesburg, where he died.

The Indian Consulate in Johannesburg had been assisting in repatriating his body to India.

In August, Andrew Blackwood-Murray, 61, an airline and former air force pilot from Johannesburg, died when the Extra 300 aircraft, a two-seat aerobatics monoplane, he was piloting crashed into the sea.

He was at the time performing a final display during an airshow near Durban’s Battery Beach.

In June, a light aircraft crash claimed the lives of young pilots Nqobile Biyela, 23 and Lulama Msane, 23, and a 20-year-old medical student, Siphesihle Buthelezi in the KZN Midlands.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE