Impala: 'My son lived to fly'

2003-11-14 07:56

Ziegfried Ekron

Cape Town - The devastated family of one of the pilots killed in this week's Impala crash near Nelspruit said on Thursday the air force had not yet discovered the reason for the crash.

However, the last message sent to the control tower was that the pilots were having engine problems.

André Martin, father of Lieutenant Paul Martin, 28, had been passionate about flying.

He said from Witsand near Port Beaufort his son had expected to fly larger fighter planes soon and that he was to be promoted to captain in January.

Martin said the day his son put on his pilot wings to his uniform was the day his childhood dream had come true.

Paul and Lieutenant Willem Duvenhage, 22, died instantly after the Impala jet they were flying on a routine navigation flight, crashed on Wednesday. Martin said that he and his wife, Lorainne, who were both ex-defence force personnel, were extremely proud of their son, known to his friends as "Andy".

According to Martin, it appeared as if the crash was caused by a mechanical fault.

However, all the air force has been able to confirm was that Paul was sitting in the rear seat, said Martin. The only consolation was that both died instantly and did not suffer, he said.

The pilots will be buried with military honours.

- Die Burger