Durban Airshow Turns Tragic as Veteran Pilot’s Plane Crashes into Sea

Durban’s beachfront was struck by tragedy on Thursday afternoon when an aerobatic plane plunged into the ocean during a display at the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit. The Extra 300 light aircraft, piloted by 61-year-old Johannesburg native Andrew Blackwood-Murray, crashed into the waters off Suncoast/Battery Beach just before 2 PM while spectators looked on in shock.

Rescue teams from the NSRI, SAPS, eThekwini Fire Department, Metro Police, ALS paramedics, and municipal lifeguards rushed to the scene, deploying divers and vessels including the Spirit of Surfski 6. Despite recovering debris such as parts of the fuselage and one of the wheels, the veteran pilot remained missing by nightfall. High tides and poor visibility forced authorities to suspend the search on Thursday evening, resuming at first light on Friday.

Blackwood-Murray, a respected figure in South Africa’s aviation circles, has been remembered by colleagues and friends as a “world-class pilot” and “true gentleman.” Social media has since been flooded with tributes celebrating his skill, humility, and passion for flight. The eThekwini Municipality confirmed that Battery Beach remains closed while recovery efforts continue and investigations into the cause of the crash get underway.

Photo: ALS Paramedics