Pilot dies in South Africa air show plane crash
March 24, 2025 - PatialaPolitics
Pilot dies in South Africa air show plane crash
An experienced test pilot was killed in a fatal crash at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha, South Africa, on Saturday. The plane, an Impala Mark 1, took a nosedive before crashing to the ground in front of thousands of stunned onlookers.
The pilot, whose name was given as James O’Connell, was performing was executing a routine display showcasing the capabilities of the historic warbird when tragedy struck. Witnesses stated that the aircraft had been steady during the majority of the show but then unexpectedly plummeted while executing one of its last maneuvers. The plane dove steeply and crashed, with no reported attempt by the pilot to eject.