On the afternoon of March 22, 2025, a tragic event unfolded during the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape, as a pilot lost his life in a devastating aircraft crash. The incident, which took place in front of over 2,000 attendees, shocked spectators and grounds staff alike, leading to an immediate halt of the air show.
Witnesses reported that the aircraft, identified as an Impala Mk1, was performing aerial manoeuvres when it unexpectedly began to ascend before spinning mid-air and then plummeting towards the ground. Graphic videos circulating on social media captured the final moments of the flight, with the plane igniting into flames upon impact.
Elowayne Gouws, director of West Coast Medical Rescue, confirmed that the collision occurred shortly after 15:00. “The Impala jet hit the ground,” Gouws remarked, adding that the pilot died instantly. West Coast Medical Rescue personnel responded within two minutes, arriving to find the wreckage engulfed in flames, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The incident has sent ripples of sorrow throughout the aviation community and among the spectators, prompting an outpouring of condolences via various platforms. Many have taken to social media to share their grief and pay tribute to the pilot who lost his life so tragically.
As investigations commence to establish the precise circumstances leading to this unfortunate event, all eyes remain on the developments that will emerge from this catastrophic incident. The air show, typically a celebration of aerial artistry and aviation prowess, has been overshadowed by the loss felt by many as they reflect on the risks inherent in such thrilling displays.