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24 October 2025
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Barberton crash claims life of Pretoria pilot
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The light Cessna 206 aircraft went missing after it took off from King Mswati III International Airport prompting a multi-agency search in the Lebombo Mountains co-ordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre. Johann Marx (30) was flying solo from King Mswati III International Airport in Eswatini to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in South Africa when the aircraft lost signal at 13:37, just 14 minutes after take-off. Search efforts began immediately after authorities detected a signal from Marx’s iPhone in the mountainous region bordering Eswatini and South Africa. The signal helped narrow the search area to within one kilometre, guiding teams from Search and Rescue South Africa (SARZA), the Ehlanzeni Diving Unit, and the K9 Police Unit.
Aerial teams from Leading Edge Aviation, Netcare HEMS and Fidelity Security Services joined ground search-and-rescue units once weather conditions allowed safe flight. The aircraft was located in a remote area near Barberton, Mpumalanga. Tragically, Marx has been declared deceased at the scene.
Captain Pottie Potgieter from the Ehlanzeni Diving Unit explained that heavy mist and rugged terrain had slowed progress. The search for a missing Cessna 206 and its pilot lasted a little over two days.
The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre’s Gregory Critchley said an intensive search and rescue operation located the wreckage along with the remains of the pilot. “Search and rescue operations in the Barberton area for the missing aircraft this morning involved a task of three helicopters to join the already existing ground search and rescue unit in the area. After a brief search, the task team in the search and rescue area located the aircraft, which was confirmed to be the aircraft we were looking for and sadly, upon investigation, the pilot was found to have suffered fatal injuries,” said Critchley.
Critchley added that within 30 days, a report will be released on the cause of the crash.
Sources: SABC News, The Lowvelder
Aerial teams from Leading Edge Aviation, Netcare HEMS and Fidelity Security Services joined ground search-and-rescue units once weather conditions allowed safe flight. The aircraft was located in a remote area near Barberton, Mpumalanga. Tragically, Marx has been declared deceased at the scene.
Captain Pottie Potgieter from the Ehlanzeni Diving Unit explained that heavy mist and rugged terrain had slowed progress. The search for a missing Cessna 206 and its pilot lasted a little over two days.
The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre’s Gregory Critchley said an intensive search and rescue operation located the wreckage along with the remains of the pilot. “Search and rescue operations in the Barberton area for the missing aircraft this morning involved a task of three helicopters to join the already existing ground search and rescue unit in the area. After a brief search, the task team in the search and rescue area located the aircraft, which was confirmed to be the aircraft we were looking for and sadly, upon investigation, the pilot was found to have suffered fatal injuries,” said Critchley.
Critchley added that within 30 days, a report will be released on the cause of the crash.
Sources: SABC News, The Lowvelder
