Johannesburg, South Africa: A 20-year-old Indian identified as Piyush Pushp, died in a light aircraft crash during a solo flight as part of his pilot training in Johannesburg, South Africa, officials confirmed. The Indian Embassy and South African authorities are coordinating to investigate the incident and repatriate his remains.
Pushp was undergoing advanced flight training at the Vulcan Aviation Institute, an aviation training facility in South Africa. The crash occurred shortly after take-off during a solo sortie. Local sources indicate that early indications suggest a possible technical or engine malfunction as a cause, though no formal conclusion has been released. Pushp was taken to a hospital in Johannesburg after the crash but died from his injuries.
The Indian Embassy in Pretoria has confirmed that it is in contact with South African authorities and coordinating with Pushp’s family to facilitate the repatriation of his body. The Embassy is reportedly collecting required documents and preparing logistics for transport.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) or equivalent local aviation regulatory bodies have reportedly been notified and have initiated a probe into the circumstances of the crash. Vulcan Aviation Institute has also stated that it will conduct an internal investigation into the aviation safety protocols surrounding the accident.
Pushp hailed from Rajasthan in India and had reportedly moved to South Africa in early 2024 to pursue pilot training. He was in the advanced stages of his training, and the flight in which the crash occurred was part of his solo sorties, an essential step in pilot certification.
He had recently informed his father that he was nearing completion of his flight training and looked forward to returning to India soon to join an airline. The family received the tragic news late Sunday night through an official message from the training institute.
As a former student of Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali, Piyush was remembered by teachers and friends for his discipline, intelligence, and determination, with a lifelong passion for aviation. While South African authorities have yet to release an official report on the crash, the Vulcan Aviation Institute has assured the family that a thorough internal investigation is underway.
Another Incident
Earlier on June 8, 2025, a tragic aviation accident occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, when three young aspiring pilots lost their lives during a routine cross-country training flight.
Despite severe weather warnings across the region, three light aircraft departed from Virginia Airport in Durban, en route to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria. The planes were flying in loose formation with a planned refueling stop in Ladysmith. However, due to worsening weather conditions, poor visibility, and low fuel, the pilots were diverted to Greytown Airport. Two of the aircraft crashed one in a sugarcane field and the other in a timber plantation near Sevenoaks, just outside Mooi River. The third aircraft managed to land safely.
Among the deceased was 22-year-old student pilot Nqobile Biyela, a promising young woman from KwaZulu-Natal. The other victims were identified as Lwazi Msane-Mchunu (22) and another unnamed individual. The survivors were identified as Shelby Baloyi and Valeri Ssemambo. The pilots faced challenges such as worsening weather conditions, poor visibility, and low fuel, leading to disorientation and the eventual crash.
