[ZS-VAN]

Hi All. It is with great disappointment that I have to report the loss of a pilot and aircraft at the airshow I will be attending this weekend.

Just after 16h00 this afternoon the Sasol Tigers flying L29 Delfins did a formation flypast with the SAAF Silver Falcons display team.

The formation split with the Sasol Tigers 3 L29s turning out over Table Bay. Flying at low level one of the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and crashed into the sea. The pilot was killed.

The Sasol Tigers are one of very few civilian jet display teams.

The AAD Expo has been running since Wednesday with an airshow open to the public over the weekend, both days, which is a first for Cape Town.

[mustangdriver]

That is sad. My thoughts go out to his family.

[ZS-VAN]

Appreciated Mustangdriver. The SAAF Silver Falcons flew the missing man formation at the airshow today. I guess you are a pilot too so you feel the sense of loss.

There were 40000 people at the show and the flypast was accorded the necessary honour and respect.

[Cardinal]

The loss of any human life in an accident is tragic - was the crash a result of mechanical or human error?

[ZS-VAN]

No cause has been determined. The wreckage is still being recovered from the ocean. The CAA will have to investigate and report. The pilot had an excellent reputation and was very experienced.

[mustangdriver]

Of course, any loss of life is sad. Being a pilot, I can say it is also sad to have lost another aviator as well.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Being a pilot you really hate to see one fall.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
JP