South Africa - Two Piaggio-166 missing

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I heard on the news that two Piaggio 166 "Albatross" went missing last night on a flight from an airshow in the Lowveld to Johannesburg. There are possibly 14 people on board between the two of them. They should have arrived in Johannesburg last night. The planes were ex SAAF sold to the public when they revised their fleet in the 1990s. Keep you posted, just hope that there is a positive outcome especially that there are kids amongst the passengers. There is poor weather in the interior of S.A. at the moment.

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Member for

17 years 5 months

Posts: 8,980

:(

From your man on the spot, bad news, they found both wreckages this morning, no survivors. They were about 100 to 200 yards apart and had flown directly into a vertical cliff. Weather is definitely a factor as we had a cold front go across the country the last few days and there were a few snowflakes in Johannesburg yesterday (rare occurrence). So far 13 victims, and from what I gather the pilots were quite experienced guys, although I haven't heard their names yet. I believe the wives of two senior South African Airways pilots may have been amongst the victims.
RIP and condolences to the families. :(

BTW I am on vacation in Johannesburg right now.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 875

Well known aviation photographer, Frans Dely was one of them. RIP

Very sad. :(

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17 years 6 months

Posts: 1,433

Desperately sad, thoughts are with family and friends.

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20 years

Posts: 1,628

Tragically, didn't the SAAF HS 125 fleet fly in to Table Mountain in similar circum stances many years ago? Very sad day though.

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

The list of the deceased has been published, extremely sad.

* Brian Gruar - Pilot of 1st Aircraft - from Johannesburg
* Kevin Woolacott - Air Show Co-ordinator/Capital Sound - from Durban
* Frans Dely - aviation photographer from Cape Town
* Marianne Anderson - Brian Gruar's partner - Jhb
* Madison Doak - niece of Anderson - from Jhb
* Alexandra Doak - niece of Anderson - from Jhb
* Tess Spence - wife of airline/arobatic pilot Dennis Spence
* Louisa Warden - wife of jet display pilot Glen Warden - Jhb
* Peter Geldenhuis - Pilot of 2nd Aircraft Pilot - Jhb
* Peter Oldenborgh - Geldenhuis' co-pilot - Jhb
* Stewart Oldenborgh- Peter's son, a Grade 9 pupil at Grahamstown's St. Andrews College
* Maritjie de Wet - Girlfriend of Peter Geldenhuis - Jhb
* Linda Pearce - Fiancé of African Pilot Magazine Editor, Athol Frans. Jhb

Member for

19 years

Posts: 2,106

So terribly sad, met Frans Dely and his daughter out in Al Ain a few years ago, nice guy and a great Photographer. Dennis Spence was also with us on that trip. As always thoughts are with the families of those involved.

Member for

15 years 9 months

Posts: 1,684

What a tragedy Condolences to those bereaved and RIP to those lost

What a tragedy Condolences to those bereaved and RIP to those lost.

I was at Rand Airport yesterday with my kid. The airport was the home of the two Piaggios and this is a picture of the foyer; the aviation community here is small and close knit and there is a lot of solidarity:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6056920724_36c490b9e1.jpg

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Brings it closer to home for more of us, thanks.

Member for

15 years 9 months

Posts: 1,684

It is worse when two go together

It is worse when two go together.

I know about tight small communities and how it hits when someone is lost tragically, the pain is indescribable.

Ralph - my thoughts are with you all.

There was a "missing man formation" flypast yesterday by the "Flying Lions". I wasn't able to stay for that but will try dig up the photos. Anyway there was a photo in tonight's paper.