Civil Aviation Authorities are investigating the cause of a light aircraft accident in which a young pilot was killed in Port Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon.
The 23 year-old pilot cannot be named until his next of kin have been informed. He was the only occupant of the aircraft.
Netcare 911’s Chris Botha says paramedics arrived at the scene and found that the plane had crashed at the perimeter fence at the airport and burst into flames.
Botha says the young pilot sustained extensive injuries in the crash and died on the scene.
Police captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg says the light Piper aircraft took off from the PE airport at 12h45. Minutes after take-off, the pilot notified Air Traffic Control that he was experiencing engine failure .
Van Rensburg says the pilot attempted to turn back but lost control and crashed on the western side of the perimeter fence at the airport.
Airport Fire and Rescue services rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire.
Van Rensburg said the incident had been handed over to the police and the SA Civil Aviation Authority had given permission for the body to be removed from the crash site.
