Second Plane Crash in Two Days: Limpopo Aircraft Accident Leaves Three Injured

Just a day after a tragic airshow accident claimed the life of a pilot in the Western Cape, another plane crash occurred—this time in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.

On Monday, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) confirmed that its Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) had launched an inquiry into the Thohoyandou crash, which left three people seriously injured.

According to SACAA, the incident involved a Jabiru J430 aircraft on a private flight from Nandoni Airfield in Thohoyandou to Louis Trichardt Airfield. The accident occurred approximately 23km east of Nandoni Airfield.

“All three occupants—a pilot and two passengers—sustained serious injuries,” SACAA said in a statement. “An investigator has been dispatched to the crash site, and the scene has been secured.”

A preliminary report on the accident will be published on the SACAA website within 30 days.

The Limpopo crash comes just one day after a tragic accident at the West Coast Airshow in Saldanha, where test pilot James O’Connell died while performing a flying display in an Impala Mark 1 aircraft.

Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft appeared stable throughout most of the routine, but a sudden loss of altitude during the final manoeuvre led to the devastating crash around 3 pm. A large cloud of black smoke rose from the wreckage, shocking spectators.

The airshow organisers confirmed that O’Connell’s routine was intended to showcase the capabilities of the Impala Mark 1, a jet trainer commonly used in military and civilian aviation.

The two incidents in rapid succession have raised concerns over aviation safety in South Africa, prompting heightened scrutiny from authorities.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com

Sowetan Live