The search continues for missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray (61). Image: IOL.
(The Post News)– Andrew Blackwood-Murray, the pilot who crashed a light aircraft into the ocean along the Durban North Beach, Sun Coast Casino, KwaZulu-Natal, is still missing.
The plane was part of an airshow that took place at Virginia Airport on the sidelines of the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit 2025. Reports indicate that Andrew Blackwood-Murray lost control of the aircraft during his final display.
Garrith Jamieson, ALS Paramedics spokesperson, stated that paramedics have been on the beach since Thursday, 14 August, together with the rescue team, SAPS, and Metro Police Search, trying to find the missing pilot. Jamieson said, “Preliminary reports state that the light aircraft was doing displays and crashed into the ocean.
The SA Civil Aviation Authority revealed in a statement that the accident occurred just before 2pm. “It happened apparently when the ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft that was performing its final display crashed into the sea. We are comforted by the announcement that the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) has taken over and will be conducting an investigation,” stated the statement.
The statement added that a search operation has been underway since the day of the incident. “A crew from the National Sea Rescue Institute has been searching for the pilot,” said the ARCC.
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