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student pilot death

Pretoria, South Africa: A routine training flight turned fatal on Thursday evening, 19 February 2026, when a light aircraft crashed in the rural Klipgat area of Sofasonke township in the North West Province, killing both the flight instructor and the student pilot on board. The aircraft, operated by Excellentia Airline Academy, went down shortly before 6 p.m., triggering its emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and drawing an immediate response from rescue teams. Emergency responders including the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), paramedics, police and aviation investigators reached the crash site within minutes. Despite swift efforts, both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. Initial field reports have not confirmed a specific cause but early indications suggest that the aircraft may have experienced mechanical difficulties or sudden weather changes, but a full investigation by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is underway to determine the exact cause. Witnesses in the area reported hearing a loud roar in the sky around sunset, followed by smoke rising from the wreckage. The light fixed-wing trainer, a Sling 2 aircraft used for pilot instruction, was on a standard sortie when it went down with only the two pilots on board. Police later confirmed the age of the occupants as 28 and 24 respectively. In an official statement issued after the crash, Excellentia Airline Academy confirmed that one of its training aircraft was involved and that the academy was “devastated by this tragic loss.” The statement noted that it received notification from the ARCC shortly after 6 p.m., and that the SACAA had confirmed the fatalities. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, loved ones, colleagues and fellow students affected by this tragedy,” the academy said. The academy also stated it is fully cooperating with SACAA and other authorities in the ongoing investigation, and requested that speculation regarding the cause be avoided while investigators carry out their work. It added that, “Out of respect for the families, we will not be releasing the names of those involved,” and that support services are being provided to academy staff and students. Family members and community residents gathered near the crash site on Friday, laying floral tributes and paying their respects. Relatives described both young men as passionate about aviation and committed to achieving their professional goals. A relative of the 24-year-old student said his family was “devastated and in shock,” remembering him as a diligent learner with dreams of becoming a commercial pilot. A neighbour of the instructor spoke of him as a committed mentor to younger aspiring pilots in the region. The SACAA has begun detailed investigations, gathering wreckage evidence, flight plans, witness testimony and any available electrical or onboard flight data. A preliminary report is expected to be issued within 30 days of the occurrence, as per regulatory protocol. Flight Training School Incidents in South Africa: 04 February, 2026: A Piper Cherokee 140 (ZS‑XPR) training aircraft departing from Grand Central Airport crashed near Carstenhof Hospital in Glen Austin, Midrand during a training flight. Both the flight instructor and the student pilot on board suffered serious injuries and were rushed to hospital, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. 26 October, 2025: During a morning training flight, a light aircraft suffered engine failure and attempted an emergency landing in a school field, veering into a tuckshop of Hoërskool Alberton in the City of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Both the instructor and student escaped unharmed. 15 October, 2025: Two training aircraft from Aviation Junction Flying School in Secunda, Mpumalanga, took off on routine flights over the KwaZulu‑Natal Midlands. Both aircraft Sling 2 types encountered poor weather with heavy mist and low visibility, lost contact with radio and radar, and later crashed in separate locations near Nottingham Road and Pietermaritzburg. The 26‑year‑old Indian trainee pilot Mayank Prajapati and 35‑year‑old South African pilot Martin Brown were killed in the twin crashes, prompting intensified calls for safety reforms in South Africa’s flight‑training sector. 13 October, 2025: A tragic training accident claimed the life of 20‑year‑old Piyush Pushp, a student from Ranchi, India, while he was undergoing solo flight training at the Vulcan Aviation Institute in Johannesburg. During the solo sortie, the light training aircraft reportedly suffered a sudden technical malfunction mid‑air, leading to a crash shortly after take‑off. 10 June, 2025: The aircraft, operated by Eagle Air Flight School, was part of a trio of light planes flying in a loose formation from an airstrip near Durban toward Pretoria. The group encountered severe weather, including low visibility and turbulence, which led them to divert from their planned refuelling stop in Ladysmith toward Greytown & crashed. Airport emergency responders arrived but all three pilots were killed.

Aircraft Crashes

Instructor, Student Pilot Killed In South Africa Training Crash As Safety Concerns Mount

Aviation Today News Desk / February 21, 2026

Pretoria, South Africa: A routine training flight turned fatal on Thursday evening, 19 February 2026, when a light aircraft crashed

Pennsylvania, United States: A New Jersey flight instructor has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a 2022 small-plane crash in Salisbury Township, Pennsylvania, that killed his student pilot from Easton. According to federal prosecutors, 36-year-old Philip McPherson of Haddon Township, New Jersey, entered a guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania earlier this week. The plea stems from the fatal crash that occurred just one minute after takeoff from Queen City Municipal Airport in Allentown on August 18, 2022, claiming the life of 49-year-old student pilot Keith Kozel. McPherson and Kozel were flying a single-engine Cessna 172 on an instructional flight when the aircraft lost control shortly after departure. The plane crashed into the yard of a home on South Melrose Avenue in Salisbury Township and burst into flames. Kozel died at the scene, while McPherson survived with injuries. Investigators later determined that McPherson was not legally certified to act as a flight instructor or pilot at the time of the crash. Court documents revealed he had surrendered his pilot certificate to the FAA in 2018 after being involved in two prior accidents and subsequently failed a 2021 reexamination for lack of competence. In August 2024, McPherson was indicted on one count of involuntary manslaughter and 40 counts of serving as an airman without a valid certificate, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Prosecutors argued that McPherson acted with “gross negligence” by knowingly providing flight instruction despite his disqualification, thereby endangering his student’s life. On October 14, 2025, McPherson pleaded guilty to manslaughter under a plea agreement that will see the remaining charges dismissed at sentencing, as confirmed by local authorities. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. McPherson’s sentencing is scheduled for January 2026 in Philadelphia. The court is expected to consider aggravating factors related to his prior record and repeated violations of federal aviation regulations. Friends and relatives of the late Keith Kozel described him as a dedicated student pilot who was “living his dream of flying.” The Kozel family has expressed relief that justice is being served but said “no sentence can bring Keith back.” The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assisted in the investigation, which concluded that the accident resulted from pilot error and lack of qualification on the part of McPherson.

Aircraft Crashes

Unlicensed Flight Instructor Pleads Guilty In 2022 Crash That Killed Student Pilot

Aviation Today News Desk / October 17, 2025

Pennsylvania, United States: A New Jersey flight instructor has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a 2022 small-plane crash

São José do Rio Preto, Brazil: A training aircraft operated by the Aeroclube de São José do Rio Preto crashed shortly after takeoff on Tuesday morning, killing both occupants onboard. The accident occurred around 11:50 AM in a rural area approximately 6.5 kilometers from the aeroclub’s base in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo state. Victims Identified Authorities have confirmed that the victims were: Abner Casagrande de Oliveira, 41, serving as the flight instructor. A resident of São José do Rio Preto, Oliveira had recently completed his theoretical training for a flight instructor’s rating and was conducting practical instruction at the time of the crash. He is survived by his wife and three young daughters. Felipe Coiado Gomes, 23, a student pilot from Potirendaba, São Paulo. Gomes obtained his private pilot license in 2024 and had recently begun training toward higher qualifications. Both individuals were affiliated with the Aeroclube de São José do Rio Preto, one of the region’s oldest flight training organizations. Aircraft and Crash Details The aircraft involved was a CAP-4 Paulistinha, tail number PP-RDJ, a two-seat, single-engine, high-wing trainer manufactured in 1943. The aircraft departed on a routine training flight from the Aeroclube’s airfield. According to emergency services, it crashed in an open rural area off Estrada da Balsanova and caught fire on impact. Firefighters responded promptly but found both occupants deceased at the scene. Local authorities have stated that the aircraft’s airworthiness certificate was valid until the date of the accident. The CAP-4 model, despite its age, remains in use across Brazil for basic pilot training and glider towing due to its simple mechanics and handling. Investigation Launched The Brazilian Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) confirmed that an official investigation is underway through its regional office SERIPA IV, which covers the São Paulo region. Investigators are analyzing multiple factors, including: Flight and maintenance records Air traffic communications Meteorological conditions at the time of departure Pilot qualifications and flight experience Witness accounts and post-crash evidence CENIPA is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming weeks, outlining initial findings. A comprehensive final report may take several months to complete. No official cause of the crash has been determined as of July 2, and authorities have not reported signs of mechanical failure or external interference. The Aeroclube de São José do Rio Preto released a statement expressing condolences to the families and confirming full cooperation with investigators. Flight training operations at the club have been temporarily suspended pending internal review and support for staff and students.

Aircraft Crashes

Flight Instructor and Student Pilot Killed in Fatal Training Aircraft Crash in Brazil

Aviation Today News Desk / July 2, 2025

São José do Rio Preto, Brazil: A training aircraft operated by the Aeroclube de São José do Rio Preto crashed

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