Authorities have confirmed that a plane has crashed near Nottingham Road in KwaZulu-Natal, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
The area, located in the Midlands region near Howick, is currently covered in thick mist, making it difficult for emergency teams to find the crash site.
According to Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Robertson, rescue teams are at the scene trying to locate the wreckage.
“Midlands EMS crews are currently on scene in the Nottingham Road area following reports of a light aircraft crash. Rescue teams are currently on scene and are trying to locate the aircraft,” he said.
Initial reports indicate that distress signals were received from two aircraft, identified as ZU-PBC and ZU-PBD, around 14:55 (SAST) on Wednesday, 15 October 2025.
It has since been confirmed that ZU-PBC is the aircraft believed to have gone down on Fort Nottingham Road, a rural stretch outside the small Midlands town.
Robertson, who serves as the operations director for Midlands EMS, said that emergency crews are working under difficult conditions due to the heavy mist, which limits visibility and makes it challenging to spot the crash site from both the air and the ground.
“We are at the scene where the distress call was, but we are still trying to locate the plane. We cannot confirm anything as of yet. We just know that the plane is missing,” he said.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) from the Howick station and members of search and rescue units have joined the effort. Specialised teams equipped with thermal imaging tools and off-road vehicles are moving through the misty terrain to find the aircraft.
In simple terms, a distress call is a signal sent from an aircraft when it is in serious trouble — usually due to technical failure, loss of power, or bad weather.
Once such a call is received, authorities immediately begin search and rescue operations, which means teams are sent out to look for survivors and secure the crash area.
Local residents near Nottingham Road reported hearing unusual aircraft noises shortly before emergency vehicles began arriving in the area. No details have yet been released about how many people were on board or whether there are any survivors.
All emergency services — including medical response units, fire crews, and law enforcement — remain on site as the operation continues.
Authorities have urged the public to stay clear of the area to allow emergency teams to work safely. F
urther updates are expected once the wreckage is found and investigators can confirm what caused the incident.