Pilot killed in plane crash at air show in South Africa

Terrifying footage shows the moment a plane plunged towards the ground before a huge blast erupted in front of horrified onlookers. WARNING: Distressing

WARNING: Distressing

A pilot has tragically died after his plane spiralled out of control in South Africa and exploded in a fireball crash at an air show.

Terrifying footage shows the moment the plane plunged towards the ground before a huge blast erupted in front of horrified onlookers on Saturday.

The crash happened at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha, a town about 112 kilometres north of Cape Town, The Sun reported.

Elowayne Gouws, the director of West Coast Medical Rescue said the plane’s wreckage was found “engulfed in flames” within two minutes as rescuers rushed to the scene.

Heartbroken organisers of the South African aerial display named James O’Connell as the “highly-skilled” pilot who died.

In a statement shared on social media they said: “It is with profound sadness that the organisers of the West Coast Airshow confirm a fatal accident involving James O’Connell.

“Mr O’Connell was performing a routine display intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the Impala Mark 1 – a beloved warbird with deep historical significance for many South Africans.

“Eyewitness accounts report that the aircraft appeared to be under control during most of the display.

“However, during one of the final manoeuvres, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and entered a steep dive before making contact with the ground.”

Terrifying footage shows the moment the plane started to plunge towards the ground. Picture: X/BCDNEWS01234567

A pilot has tragically died after his plane spiralled out of control and exploded in a fireball crash at an air show. Picture: X/BCDNEWS01234567

Organisers said there was no sign the pilot made any attempt to eject as the plane started to crash land.

No other injuries were reported despite a large crowd gathering for the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha. The West Coast Air Show described O’Connell as a decorated, retired officer of the South African Air Force who has over 36 years of flight experience.

Heartbroken organisers of the South African aerial display named James O’Connell as the ‘highly-skilled’ pilot who died. Picture: West Coast Air Show

They added he had logged over 4000 hours on rotary-wing aircraft and 1600 hours on fixed-wing aircraft as well.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the South African Air Force’s accident unit are now investigating the incident.

Plumes of smoke were sent billowing into the air. Picture: X/BCDNEWS01234567

Onlookers watched in horror. Picture: X/BCDNEWS01234567

SACCA head of communication Sisa Majola told national news site Times Live: “There is one confirmed fatality, a pilot on board an Impala aircraft”.

Further updates will be shared when more information is available, organisers of the show said.

It comes less than a week after a plane carrying 17 people tragically crashed into the sea – killing a popular music star.

Twelve people died after the aircraft struck the Caribbean Sea just minutes after it took off from Roatan Island, Honduras, on Monday.

Several US nationals, a French citizen, and two children were among those killed in the horror air disaster.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.