DURBAN – A pilot has been praised for executing a safe emergency landing on a beach in Durban after his light aircraft experienced engine failure on Saturday.

At 11:16 am, Saturday morning, the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) was alerted that a light aircraft with two men onboard — a 28-year-old instructor pilot and an 18-year-old trainee — was having engine problems near Virginia Airport. The aircraft, en route from Pietermaritzburg to Virginia, was unable to reach the runway and needed to land on the beach.

Virginia Air Traffic Control (ATC) confirmed that the aircraft would not make it to the runway and coordinated the emergency response. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), police, fire services, paramedics, and other rescue teams were dispatched to assist.

NSRI Durban coxswain Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan said the aircraft landed safely on the beach west of Virginia Beach, and both pilots were uninjured, though shaken. “The aircraft was threatened by the incoming Spring high tide, but no one was harmed,” he said.

The aircraft was removed from the beach by emergency services, and the pilots were transported back to Virginia Airport. The incident is under investigation by the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID).

Taverna-Turisan commended the swift coordination of all emergency responders and praised the pilot for his safe landing.

“ARCC and all involved were commended for their quick and effective response,” he said. “The pilot’s skill in making the emergency landing has been highly praised.”