NSRI – Durban – Saturday, 13 September. Update aircraft incident - a body located and recovered formal protocols to be observed:

During late Friday night, 12 September, Metro Police Search and Rescue, the SA Police Services and local security attended at Bay of Plenty Beach, Durban, where the body of a man was located and recovered.

The body of the deceased man was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

While indications are that the body is that of missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray, formal Police protocols and formal identification is still in progress to be observed respectfully in cooperation with family.

Condolences are conveyed to family, friends and colleagues.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

Family has declined interviews respectfully requesting privacy in this difficult time.

See previous update below

NSRI – Durban – Wednesday, 20 August. Update on the search and recovery operations Durban North Shore:

Police divers (Police Search and Rescue) are continuing in ongoing efforts in search and recovery operations.

On Tuesday and continuing on Wednesday an NSRI rescue craft, an SA Navy craft and Police Search and Rescue (Police divers) mapped and are mapping a debris field imagery of the sea bed in the search area using advanced search technology - a NORBIT MULTI BEAM SONAR - volunteered by a Johannesburg premier survey company SEA SHADOW, and facilitated by DURBAN MARINE.

Their contribution assisting in the search is commended.

Assisting in the efforts on Tuesday local Good Samaritan Peter Jacobs, from GARMIN, using a Sport and Recreational System, ran a search grid using their private craft to gather additional debris field imagery.

Their contribution assisting in the search is commended.

SA Navy divers, DUC (Durban Underwater Club) and a RESCUE SA diver has assisted Police divers in the ongoing search efforts.

Dive efforts to recover wreckage, led by Police Search and Rescue, are continuing.

Metro Police, eThekwini authorities and eThekwini lifeguards remain on alert to recover wreckage washed ashore.

We are continuing to appeal to public and the maritime community to report any findings of debris and wreckage – that may be related to the light aircraft accident, along the Durban shoreline and at sea, to Police at 10111, to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) at 0870949774 or on marine VHF radio to Durban Radio (Telkom Maritime Radio Services) or Durban Port Control, so that any findings can be recovered to support the AIID and the Police investigation into the catastrophic incident.

All wreckage recovered has been taken into the care of a Metro Police hanger at Virginia Airport for the AIID (Accident and Incident Investigation Division) and the Police ongoing investigation.

Personal items have been returned to family and arrangements are being made to return additional personal items recovered.

Family are in the care of authorities and are briefed in cooperation with friends and colleagues.

Family has respectfully requested privacy in this difficult time.

The outpouring of support from SAA (South African Airways), friends, colleagues, and the aviation community is commended.

See additional media statements pertaining to this case below... 

NSRI – Durban – Sunday, 17 August. Ongoing search and recovery operation:
 

There are no new developments in the ongoing search for missing SAA (South African Airways) and aerobatic pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray, age 61, from Johannesburg, along Durban’s North Coast.

The search and recovery operation, led by Police divers, is ongoing.

Advanced technology and advanced search technology continues to be deployed in the ongoing search.

Weather and sea conditions has not been a factor and has not hampered ongoing search efforts. 

Services involved - Police divers (Police Search and Rescue) are leading the search, supported by Aviation and Aeronautical authorities, NSRI Durban and NSRI Umhlanga, the SA Police Services, the Police Air Wing, Police Communications, ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre), AIID (Accident and Incident Investigation Division), SACAA (Civil Aviation Authority), MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, the SA Navy, eThekwini Municipal authorities, eThekwini Metro Police and Metro Police Search and Rescue, eThekwini lifeguards, and assisted by EC Government Health EMS, Government Health Forensic Pathology Services, Netcare 911 ambulance services and Red Line Response ambulance services.

We are appealing to public and the maritime community to report any findings of debris – that may be related to the light aircraft accident, along the Durban shoreline and at sea, to Police at 10111, to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) at 0870949774 or on marine VHF radio to Durban Radio (Telkom Maritime Radio Services) or Durban Port Control, so that any findings can be recovered to support the AIID and the Police investigation into the catastrophic incident.

Family, friends and colleagues of the missing man are being cared for, supported, and are regularly briefed, in this difficult time.

The tremendous outpouring of support and compassion from the aviation community, the public and all involved, is commended.

See media statements below ....

Search ongoing following light aircraft accident offshore of Durban North Beach

On Friday, 15 August the NSRI Durban station 5 rescue base is being used as a command post for the JOCC (Joint Operations Command Centre) in the ongoing search operation led by Police Search and Rescue divers, in cooperation with ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre) and AIID (Accident and Incident Investigation Division), as well as Aviation authorities, for the missing pilot, following yesterday's tragic light aircraft accident offshore of Durban North Beach.