Cape Town – Messages of condolences are pouring in following the tragic death of renowned pilot James O’Connell, who lost his life when his Impala Mark 1 aircraft crashed during the Saldanha Air Show over the weekend.
Spectators watched in shock as the jet went into a deep dive and crashed, with no signs of an ejection attempt.
The pilot died on impact, according to Elowayne Gouws, director of West Coast Medical Rescue.
Tragic Aircraft Crash at West Coast Airshow in Saldanha Bay
A heartbreaking incident occurred today, March 22, 2025, at the West Coast Airshow in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape, where an Impala jet crashed during a live demonstration.Eyewitnesses report that the aircraft spun… pic.twitter.com/Dsp6hO1W7f
— BCD NEWS (@BCDNEWS01234567) March 22, 2025
O’Connell, a highly respected figure in aviation, had a 36-year career, including 25 years in experimental flight testing, IOL reported.
He logged over 4,000 hours on rotary-wing aircraft and 1,600+ hours on fixed-wing aircraft, contributing significantly to the South African Air Force’s A109 LUH helicopter tests and the Oryx helicopter upgrade.
A retired senior officer, he remained dedicated to aviation as an advisor and Chief Flight Instructor at the Test Flying Academy of South Africa.
Viral footage of the crash has circulated on social media, while authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority, have launched an investigation into the incident.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
