SA's last Spitfire crashes killing pilot
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SA's last Spitfire crashes killing pilot
From today's Star, Johannesburg:
A highly respected pilot and skydiving instructor died when his World War 2 veteran Spitfire crashed at Wonderboom Airport.
Mike Snoyman, 56, from Sandown, was on his way from Air Force Base Zwartkop to Wonderboom to park his aircraft in its hangar on thursday when the accident occurred.
According to the police's Inspector Piletji Sebola, it was suspected that the aircraft had experienced electrical problems. "It circled the airport for a while and then came plummeting to the ground," he said.
An eyewitness said: "I saw the plane make a sharp turn to the left, then the wing touched the ground and the plane somersaulted."
Engulfed by smoke and flames, Snoyman died at the scene. Rescue workers rushed to the spot and doused the flames. Snoyman's charred remains were removed from the mangled wreck.
Pilots and friends said it was unlikely that the accident was due to human error.
Helicopter pilot Banie Tromp said: "He was a doyen. Everything had to be 150 percent correct before he took off. Mike was a very thorough guy."
"It went in upside down and exploded. It's a write-off," Lieutenant Colonel Neil Thomas of the South African Air Force Museum told reporters.
The Spitfire played a key role in defeating the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in 1940. It is now a collectors item fetching up to R15-million. Thomas said there were only about 40 left flying in the world.
Civil Aviation Authority official Trevor David said an inquest would be held to determine the cause of the crash.
Very sad - condolences to family and friends. Too few Spitfires left now ...
A highly respected pilot and skydiving instructor died when his World War 2 veteran Spitfire crashed at Wonderboom Airport.
Mike Snoyman, 56, from Sandown, was on his way from Air Force Base Zwartkop to Wonderboom to park his aircraft in its hangar on thursday when the accident occurred.
According to the police's Inspector Piletji Sebola, it was suspected that the aircraft had experienced electrical problems. "It circled the airport for a while and then came plummeting to the ground," he said.
An eyewitness said: "I saw the plane make a sharp turn to the left, then the wing touched the ground and the plane somersaulted."
Engulfed by smoke and flames, Snoyman died at the scene. Rescue workers rushed to the spot and doused the flames. Snoyman's charred remains were removed from the mangled wreck.
Pilots and friends said it was unlikely that the accident was due to human error.
Helicopter pilot Banie Tromp said: "He was a doyen. Everything had to be 150 percent correct before he took off. Mike was a very thorough guy."
"It went in upside down and exploded. It's a write-off," Lieutenant Colonel Neil Thomas of the South African Air Force Museum told reporters.
The Spitfire played a key role in defeating the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in 1940. It is now a collectors item fetching up to R15-million. Thomas said there were only about 40 left flying in the world.
Civil Aviation Authority official Trevor David said an inquest would be held to determine the cause of the crash.
Very sad - condolences to family and friends. Too few Spitfires left now ...
