A light aircraft carrying three people has gone missing after departing from Virginia Airport in Durban on Sunday afternoon, 8 June 2025.
Light aircraft headed for Greytown goes missing
Authorities have confirmed that a large-scale search and rescue operation is now underway in KwaZulu-Natal.
The aircraft, a Pyper Cherokee with registration number ZSKFB, left Virginia Airport at around 15:00 and was last tracked flying over Ladysmith.
According to officials, it appeared to be heading south in the direction of Pietermaritzburg or Greytown but never reached its intended destination.
Since then, there has been no further communication from the plane.
The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), which is responsible for managing aircraft emergencies in South Africa, has taken the lead in the search operation.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has confirmed that it is working closely with ARCC, local police in Greytown, and aviation experts to help locate the missing aircraft.
“Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House is in touch with experts and officials from the ARCC following the disappearance of the light aircraft carrying three individuals,” the department said in a statement.
To support the search, the Department of Transport has activated community leaders and local forums in the Umgungundlovu and Uthukela districts. This means people on the ground in the areas near the last known location of the aircraft are now helping with the search effort.
The department has also confirmed it is maintaining close contact with the families of those on board, including the female pilot.
Ayanda Msweli, a well-known traffic anchor, has been in communication with the pilot’s family and is also providing updates through his network.
Officials noted that bad weather conditions may have played a role in the aircraft’s disappearance. Severe weather had been forecast by the South African Weather Service around the time of the flight.
Transport department head Siboniso Mbheli is overseeing the coordination of the response.
“We are working with the South African Police Service and other key experts to ensure a successful search and rescue operation,” the department added.
The plane is described as being blue, black, and white in colour. It is not yet clear exactly where the aircraft went off the radar, but all efforts are focused on the area between Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg, and Greytown.
