As a
terrible end to a week that began tragically, the Commissioner for Civil
Aviation, Mr. Trevor Abrahams, advised that two fatal aircraft accidents
occurred on Friday 10 December.
A Cessna 172
aircraft with four people on-board crashed in the Lydenberg
region. All four people were killed. A second crash occurred in the
Bronkhorstspruit area. At this time, the type of aircraft has not been
identified and one person is known to have been killed in the accident.
Investigators have been dispatched to both accident sites.
"This
is a black week for aviation in South Africa," Mr
Abrahams noted.
"Three
fatal accidents in one week have not occurred in South Africa since the early
1980's. It makes flying look very unsafe. Accident statistics for 1999 remain,
however, lower than those for 1998."
The number
of aircraft on the South African aircraft register has increased 66% over the
last decade. The percentage of the number of accidents to the number of
registered aircraft has decreased from 3% to 2% during the same period. In
spite of the increase e in aviation activity, the accident rate is actually
declining.
"One
accident is one accident too many," said Mr
Abrahams.
"The
Civil Aviation Authority is working to reduce the number of accidents and to
promote aviation safety. All participants in aviation, especially pilots, are
urged to take care when flying and to be aware of potential hazards."
Further
details will be released as soon as new information becomes available.
10 December
1999
Enquiries:
Jackie Mfeka
Manager: Communications
012-426 0083 or 083 635 0019