What happened
On the afternoon of 14 August 2025, an Extra EA-300L aircraft, registration ZS-AEC, crashed into the ocean near Battery Beach, Durban. The aircraft had departed from Virginia Airport to participate in an airshow hosted by the Smoke on Go Foundation near the Suncoast Casino.
During the aerobatic performance, the pilot was executing a sequence of five consecutive left aileron rolls. While performing these maneuvers, the aircraft was descending at a 45-degree angle. Video evidence indicates that as the aircraft was rolling to the left, it leveled off and struck the water. The impact resulted in the fatal destruction of the aircraft. While various components of the wreckage, including the engine and wings, were recovered, the cockpit section remained missing. The pilot's remains were recovered from the shoreline on 12 September 2025.
The investigation
An investigation by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) AIID examined the flight history, the aircraft's maintenance, and the event's organizational procedures. Investigators reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting they were a professional aerobatic pilot with significant flight experience. The aircraft was found to have a valid certificate of airworthiness and recent maintenance records.
The investigation also scrutinized the airshow's management. It was noted that the event application was submitted significantly later than the 150-day window suggested by the SAE Handbook. Furthermore, the investigation looked into changes made to the flight sequence by the pilot on the morning of the event.
Findings
- The aircraft performed the aileron rolls while descending from 1700 ft AMSL, whereas the approved sequence had specified a starting altitude of 2200 ft AMSL.
- The pilot initiated the maneuver at a lower altitude than originally submitted in the display briefing.
- The airshow organizer submitted the formal application approximately 73 days before the event, failing to meet the 150-day guideline outlined in the SAE Handbook.
- At the time of the accident, the regulator relied on a handbook rather than a formal regulation to govern special air events.