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6 February 2026
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Light aircraft crash in Midrand injures two
A Piper Cherokee 140 fixed-wing aircraft crashed into the garden of a private property on Wednesday morning, 4 February 2026, injuring two people. The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) said they have been taken to a medical facility for treatment. The centre said the light aircraft lost contact with Air Traffic Control before it crashed, triggering the immediate activation of aeronautical rescue and emergency response teams.
“The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control and crashed in the Austin View area, Midrand. ARCC immediately activated the ARCC early warning network in Gauteng which include members of grand central Airport Rescue Firefighting (ARFF), Netcare 911 rescue, South African Police Services, Netcare 911 Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), rocket hems, Gauteng traffic police helicopter, Bidvest Protea coin helicopter, Sarza and fidelity fire services who responded immediately,” said ARCC’s Chief of Operations Gregory Critchley.
According to a statement released by the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID), the incident involved a Piper Cherokee 140 fixed-wing aircraft. “AIID confirms reports of an accident involving a Piper Cherokee 140 fixed-wing (registration ZS-XPR) in Midrand, Gauteng, this morning, Wednesday, 4 February 2026,” it said.
The AIID said it was a training flight that departed from the Grand Central Airport and confirmed the accident occurred within a nearby Midrand location. “On board the aircraft was the flight instructor and a student pilot, with both crew members sustaining serious injuries and being rushed to the hospital. The aircraft was substantially damaged,” it said.
The AIID remained on-site for its investigation and said it will be issuing a preliminary report within 30 days of the incident.
Sources: The Citizen, SABC News
“The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control and crashed in the Austin View area, Midrand. ARCC immediately activated the ARCC early warning network in Gauteng which include members of grand central Airport Rescue Firefighting (ARFF), Netcare 911 rescue, South African Police Services, Netcare 911 Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), rocket hems, Gauteng traffic police helicopter, Bidvest Protea coin helicopter, Sarza and fidelity fire services who responded immediately,” said ARCC’s Chief of Operations Gregory Critchley.
According to a statement released by the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID), the incident involved a Piper Cherokee 140 fixed-wing aircraft. “AIID confirms reports of an accident involving a Piper Cherokee 140 fixed-wing (registration ZS-XPR) in Midrand, Gauteng, this morning, Wednesday, 4 February 2026,” it said.
The AIID said it was a training flight that departed from the Grand Central Airport and confirmed the accident occurred within a nearby Midrand location. “On board the aircraft was the flight instructor and a student pilot, with both crew members sustaining serious injuries and being rushed to the hospital. The aircraft was substantially damaged,” it said.
The AIID remained on-site for its investigation and said it will be issuing a preliminary report within 30 days of the incident.
Sources: The Citizen, SABC News