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Spectators were left in shock and horror after witnessing the tragic death of a decorated South African Air Force pilot at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha, just 112 km (70 miles) north of Cape Town, over the weekend. James O’Connell, a seasoned pilot with a remarkable career, crashed while performing a display in a retired military aircraft.
The incident occurred during a “routine display” in the Impala Mark 1, a 68-year-old aircraft. Organisers reported that the plane suddenly lost altitude and entered a steep dive. The crash was captured by several onlookers, with images and videos quickly circulating on social media. One chilling clip shows the aircraft flying upside-down before attempting to regain its position, only to nose-dive into the ground, followed by a massive fireball and plume of smoke. Gasps of disbelief can be heard from the stunned crowd.
Brian Emmenis, the air show commentator who knew Mr O’Connell personally, said two days after the crash. He described O’Connell as a professional and beloved figure in the aviation community. Having worked for the South African Air Force for nearly 30 years, O’Connell went on to serve as the chief flight instructor and head of the test pilot school at the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA). According to Emmenis, O’Connell was “in a good frame of mind” just before the performance, and their final exchange was one of camaraderie. “Have a good display, my friend,” Emmenis had said, to which O’Connell replied, “Thanks.”
Emmenis later recalled the moment he realised something was wrong during the display. “I saw the aircraft in a nose-down attitude, which concerned me,” he said. “I stopped talking, watching in disbelief. And then the flame… I never heard the impact, but I saw the huge fire.”
As the news of O’Connell’s death spread, tributes poured in from around the world. Emmenis noted the devastation felt not just in South Africa, but globally within the aviation community. “Aviation is a small world, and air show flying is especially close-knit,” he said. “It’s usually the best of the best who perform at these events.”
While it is still too early to determine the exact cause of the crash, Emmenis and others emphasized that, as a highly experienced test pilot, O’Connell would never have attempted a manoeuvre he wasn’t confident he could execute. “He wouldn’t have taken on a move like that unless he was sure of it,” Emmenis said.
Clive Coetzee, the organiser of the West Coast Air Show, expressed his sadness over the tragedy, revealing how deeply it affected both the audience and fellow performers. One young pilot, who was set to make his debut at the event, pulled out after witnessing the crash. Coetzee, who had only met O’Connell on the day of the accident, described him as a “funny guy” and “very nice,” based on their brief conversation.
The Impala Mark 1, a retired Air Force aircraft first flown in 1957, was said to be in impeccable condition, according to Emmenis, who reassured that the aircraft had been thoroughly inspected before the display.
Leading tributes to O’Connell, the TFASA hailed him as a “true aviation legend” with 36 years of flying experience, cementing his legacy in the world of aviation. His death is a devastating loss to his family, friends, and the entire aviation community.
