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A pilot lost his life after his aircraft went out of control and burst into flames before a horrified audience at an air show.
The tragic accident took place on Saturday (March 22) at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha, South Africa, approximately 112 kilometers north of Cape Town, where crowds had assembled to witness the aerial performances.
Dramatic video footage recorded the instant the plane plummeted nose-first into the ground, triggering a huge fireball upon impact.
Moments later, the aircraft was “completely consumed by flames,” said Elowayne Gouws, director of West Coast Medical Rescue, who confirmed to The Sun that emergency crews quickly responded to the crash site.
The pilot, James O’Connell, was sadly confirmed dead at the scene.
In a statement shared on social media, the West Coast Air Show organizers honored the seasoned aviator. “With heavy hearts, we confirm a tragic accident involving James O’Connell,” the statement read, as reported by News.com.au.
“Mr. O’Connell was conducting a routine flight to showcase the Impala Mark 1 – a cherished warbird with significant historical value to many South Africans.”
“Witnesses observed that the aircraft remained stable for much of the display,” the statement continued. “However, during one of the final maneuvers, it suddenly lost altitude and entered a steep dive before crashing.”
Organizers also mentioned that there was no sign O’Connell attempted to eject from the aircraft prior to impact.
Despite the large crowd, no other injuries were reported.
O’Connell was remembered as a decorated and retired officer of the South African Air Force, boasting over 36 years of aviation experience.
Event organizers noted that he had accumulated more than 4,000 flight hours on rotary-wing aircraft and an additional 1,600 hours piloting fixed-wing planes.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the South African Air Force’s accident investigation unit have both launched formal inquiries into the crash.
“There is one confirmed fatality, the pilot of the Impala aircraft,” confirmed SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola.
Organizers of the air show stated that additional updates will be provided as more details emerge.
This heartbreaking incident follows another recent aviation disaster that occurred less than a week prior in Honduras, where a plane carrying 17 people crashed into the sea shortly after departing Roatan Island. The crash claimed 12 lives, including well-known musician Elmer Figueroa Arce. Among the deceased were several U.S. citizens, a French national, and two children.
