Two people were killed on Sunday afternoon (30 November) when a Sling 2 aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from Morningstar Airfield near Vissershok in Cape Town. The South African Civil Aviation Authority’s Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID) confirmed it has launched a full investigation into the fatal accident.
According to the AIID, the aircraft departed at approximately 11:00 with a flight instructor and a private licence holder on board. Moments later, it crashed, leaving both occupants fatally injured and the aircraft substantially damaged.
Emergency services rush to scene
Police spokesperson Capt F.C. Van Wyk confirmed that emergency services responded swiftly to the scene.
“This office can confirm a fatal airplane crash on Sunday, at about 12:40 at Vissershok airfield, Philadelphia. The two occupants died due to injuries sustained,” he said.
Philadelphia police have since registered an inquest case, which will run alongside the aviation investigation.
At the time of publication, police had not yet released the names of the deceased, pending formal notification of their families.
Motorists describe shock
Neville du Plessis, a motorist driving on the N7 towards Cape Town told TygerBurger: “I was driving past the Morningstar area when I saw smoke rising and emergency vehicles rushing in. At first, I thought it was a veld fire, but when I realised it was an aircraft down, my heart sank. It’s devastating to know that two people lost their lives. My thoughts are with their families.”
Motorist Angie Human said she was a few cars behind when traffic slowed near Vissershok. “We could see responders working urgently in the distance. Even without knowing the details, you could feel something serious had happened. Hearing now that both occupants died is truly heartbreaking. It’s a sad day for the aviation community and for everyone who passed by.”
AIID investigators have been dispatched to the site, and a preliminary report is expected to be published within 30 days on the SACAA website.
The division has extended its condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.
