KEY POINTS
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A Mpumalanga couple died in a light aircraft crash near Middelburg on May 18, with authorities still investigating the cause.
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The aircraft caught fire on impact, leaving the victims burned beyond recognition, while aviation experts begin a detailed probe.
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The incident has sparked renewed attention to small aircraft safety in South Africa, following a rise in similar incidents in recent years.
A tragic light aircraft crash claimed the lives of a Mpumalanga couple on Sunday afternoon, May 18, 2025. The victims, identified as 39-year-old Quinton Steyn and his 38-year-old wife Lizette Steyn, were traveling from Nelspruit to their home in Middelburg when their aircraft went down near Botshabelo Airfield.
The aircraft reportedly caught fire upon impact, leaving the couple burned beyond recognition. IOL reports that Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after the incident, but it was already too late.
“Police were summoned to the scene, along with other relevant stakeholders. Upon arrival, the aircraft was still on fire, and the two victims were tragically burned beyond recognition,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.
Authorities have since launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Aviation experts from Crashed Aviation Agencies have been deployed to the site to conduct a technical analysis of the wreckage and flight path.
Aircraft crash highlights ongoing safety concerns
The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. “We share in this immense grief and send our deepest sympathies to those affected by this tragedy,” Mkhwanazi said.
The crash has reignited concerns over the safety of light aircraft operations in South Africa. Although smaller aircraft offer convenience and flexibility, particularly for private travel, they have been at the center of multiple safety incidents in recent years.
Just a month prior, a separate light aircraft made an emergency landing on Tinley Manor Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
According to IPSS Medical Rescue, they were alerted by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) after the aircraft declared an emergency due to engine failure.
Emergency teams — including IPSS Medical Rescue, KwaDukuza Fire Department, KDM Lifeguards, and Netcare911 — responded rapidly. Fortunately, the pilot and co-pilot in that incident emerged unscathed, and the aircraft sustained no major structural damage.
“The quick arrival of multiple emergency services gives testament to how effective the process can be when an aircraft declares an emergency,” said spokesperson Samantha Meyrick. “If this had been a worse outcome, the arrival of help would have been swift.”
The contrast between these two incidents underscores the unpredictable nature of private aviation. Aviation analysts have urged for stricter routine maintenance, improved pilot training, and enhanced communication systems, particularly for remote and non-commercial airstrips.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has recorded a noticeable rise in private aircraft registration over the past five years, a trend driven by business executives and private individuals seeking to bypass commercial airline delays.
However, this has come with an increase in emergency landings and fatal crashes, prompting SACAA to consider revising its guidelines for small aircraft operations.
As the investigation continues in Middelburg, questions remain about weather conditions, mechanical issues, or possible pilot error contributing to the crash. No flight data from the aircraft has yet been released.
The Steyns, described by friends as passionate adventurers and kind-hearted community members, leave behind grieving relatives and colleagues. A memorial service is expected to be held later this week in Middelburg, with an aviation tribute planned in their honor.
