The search for the missing veteran pilot is intensifying after a plane crashed on the coast.
Emergency responders continue their relentless search for 61-year-old aerobatics specialist Andrew Blackwood-Murray, whose high-performance aircraft went down in the waters near Suncoast Casino on Thursday afternoon during a prestigious aviation gathering.
Search Intensifies for Missing Veteran Pilot After Coastal Plane Crash
The accomplished pilot was demonstrating his Extra 300 aircraft’s capabilities as part of the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit when the tragic accident occurred.
Witnesses reported seeing the specialised aerobatic plane descend rapidly into the ocean off North Beach, prompting immediate response from multiple rescue agencies.
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Large-Scale Search Operation Underway
Search Intensifies for Missing Veteran Pilot After Coastal Plane Crash-Image Source@X(mdnnews)A coordinated rescue effort involving the National Sea Rescue Institute, police dive teams, and local lifeguards has been scanning both coastal waters and offshore areas since the incident. Despite deploying advanced search patterns and equipment, crews have yet to locate the missing aviator.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed its investigators are working concurrently with search teams to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash while recovery operations proceed.
Aviation Community Pays Tribute
Fellow pilots and aviation professionals across South Africa have been sharing heartfelt tributes to Blackwood-Murray, describing him as both an exceptional airshow performer and a dedicated mentor to younger pilots entering the field.
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Authorities have requested that members of the public avoid the search zone to allow emergency teams to work unimpeded as they expand their efforts. The aviation community remains hopeful while preparing for potentially difficult news as the operation continues into another day.