The wreckage of a light aircraft that went missing on Sunday, 8 June 2025, has been found in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, with all three passengers confirmed dead.
Rescuers recover remains of missing Pyper Cherokee ZSKFB
The aircraft, a Pyper Cherokee registered as ZSKFB, was part of a small group of planes travelling from Virginia Airport in Durban to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria.
According to the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID), the three planes had planned to refuel at Ladysmith Airport, but because the airport lacks lighting for night operations, they diverted to Greytown Airport instead.
Two of the aircraft reached their new destination. One landed safely. Another, a Piper Cherokee ZS-CZU, crashed into bushy terrain during its approach, but the two people onboard were not injured.
Tragically, the third aircraft, ZSKFB, did not make it. A large search and rescue operation, coordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), was launched.
On Monday, 9 June, rescue teams discovered the crashed aircraft in Greytown. All three occupants were declared dead at the scene by the South African Police Service.
“The AIID investigators have been dispatched to both sites to collate evidence,” said AIID spokesperson Sisa Majola.
“A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the day of the accident.” Majola extended condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.
The identities of the three victims have not been publicly released, but reports confirm that a female pilot was among the dead.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport had earlier stated it was in close contact with the families throughout the search operation.
Community members and local leaders from the Umgungundlovu and Uthukela districts joined efforts to support the rescue mission.
Ayanda Msweli, a prominent traffic anchor, had also been in communication with the pilot’s family and shared updates during the rescue attempt.
The aircraft was last tracked flying over Ladysmith before it went missing.
Severe weather, which had been forecast for the region, may have contributed to the crash, but investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause.
The Department of Transport’s head, Siboniso Mbheli, who oversaw the coordination of the operation, said officials were working closely with the SAPS and aviation experts to ensure a thorough investigation.
