GAUTENG. – Die Burgerlugvaartowerheid van Suid-Afrika (Sacaa) het ’n waarskuwing uitgereik nadat ’n toename in algemene lugvaartongelukke die afgelope maande waargeneem is. Die owerheid sê in die 2025/26‑boekjaar is daar tot dusver 43 ongelukke aangeteken, waarvan 12 noodlottig was en 17 mense gesterf het. Dit is tien meer noodlottige ongelukke as in dieselfde tydperk in 2024.
Sisa Majola, woordvoerder van dié owerheid, sê onafhanklike ondersoeke word gedoen om die oorsake van die ongelukke te bepaal. Intussen word die nuwe General Aviation Safety Strategy (GASS) 2025–2030 geïmplementeer om veiligheidsoptrede te versterk en voorkombare risiko’s in dié algemene sektor te verminder.
Met die naderende feestyd en verhoogde vlugaktiwiteit het die owerheid alle vlieëniers en operateurs herinner om deeglike vlugbeplanning te doen, streng regulasies na te kom en nie toe te gee aan haastigheid of onnodige druk nie. Voorts is die rol van veiligheidseminare en publikasies soos SKYWatch beklemtoon om ongelukke te voorkom en veilige praktyke te bevorder.
Die owerheid het ook ‘n nuwe logo bekendgestel.
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THE SACAA URGES HEIGHTENED VIGILANCE FOLLOWING A SPATE OF GENERAL AVIATION FATAL ACCIDENTS IN RECENT MONTHS
Centurion, 9 December 2025 – The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues affected by the recent general aviation (GA) fatal accidents recorded across the country. The Regulator is deeply concerned by these occurrences that closely resembles a similar trend back in October 2008. In this 2025/26 financial year alone, the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID) recorded 43 accidents of which 12 were fatal accidents, resulting in 17 fatalities. This is an increase of 10 fatal accidents when compared to the same period at the end of November 2024.
When compared to previous years, there were 131 accidents (four fatal with seven fatalities) in the 2024/25 financial year; 115 accidents resulted in 13 fatal accidents and 19 fatalities in the 2023/24 financial year; and 113 accidents resulting in nine fatal accidents and 12 fatalities in the 2022/23 financial year.
The AIID is conducting independent investigations to determine the causal and contributory factors behind these accidents. While these investigations are still underway, the SACAA is accelerating proactive safety interventions under the newly approved General Aviation Safety Strategy (GASS) 2025–2030, aimed at strengthening safety performance and reducing preventable risks in the GA sector.
As the festive holiday season approaches, typically accompanied by increased flight activity, tight schedules, and elevated operational pressure, the SACAA reminds all pilots and operators to prioritise disciplined decision-making, meticulous flight planning with strict adherence to regulations. Experience-induced complacency, undue haste, and self-imposed pressure remain significant contributors to avoidable accidents. The SACAA also draws attention to GA safety through various General Aviation Reduction Seminars that are held with Industry annually as well as safety articles that are included in the SKYWatch publications that are available on the SACAA website that provide detailed analysis of accident trends and mitigation strategies. The SACAA appreciates the industry’s improved reporting culture and urges continued commitment to accurate safety reporting, which remains central to preventing loss of life. Our skies remain safe and keeping them safe is a shared responsibility.
ENDS
