History of Flight
On the afternoon of 19 February 2026, a two-pilot crew aboard a Sling 2 aircraft, registration ZU-LOW, departed from Grand Central Airport (FAGC) in Gauteng province for a flight instructor patter training flight, intending to return to FAGC. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day and under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations. The pilot in the left seat held a Grade II Flight Instructor rating and acted as pilot monitoring (PM); the pilot in the right seat was the pilot flying (PF) and was receiving training. According to the aircraft flight folio, no fuel was uplifted before the flight. During the flight, the pilots practised stall exercises. At approximately 16:00Z, the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) received a satellite distress alert from the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter (ELT), prompting a search and rescue mission.
Accident Location and Response
Emergency services, including the South African Police Services, search and rescue teams, and Emergency Medical Services, responded to the ELT signal. The aircraft was located in bush-type terrain near the Sifasonke residential area in Klipgat, North West province.
Injuries and Damage
The accident resulted in fatal injuries to both pilots. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Investigation
The South African Civil Aviation Authority's Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) was notified and dispatched an investigator-in-charge and a co-investigator to the site. Notifications were sent to the State of Registry and Operator in accordance with regulations. No accredited representatives were appointed by other states. The AIID is leading the investigation and will issue a final report. This preliminary report is based on initial information gathered during the ongoing investigation.