Anti-poaching plane crashes
2013-02-04 08:28
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Ingrid Oellermann, The Witness
Durban - The fight against rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal’s
game reserves has taken a knock as a result of a recent accident involving
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s anti-poaching light aircraft.
EKZNW spokesperson Musa Mntambo confirmed on Sunday that the
Bantam “ultra-light” two-seater aircraft, donated to EKZNW less than two years
ago, crashed in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park on 25 January.
“The aircraft is badly damaged and currently cannot fly,” he
said.
Mntambo said the aircraft, piloted by section ranger and
pilot, Dirk Swart, experienced a technical problem in the air and had to make a
forced landing.
“The aircraft crash-landed in an acacia thicket in
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park. The pilot luckily was not injured and managed to call
for help,” he said.
Mntambo said there was no reason to believe the plane was
sabotaged in any way, but said civil aviation was investigating the crash.
