Young SA pilot, German family of four dies in Namibian plane crash

South African pilot, Nicole Mienie, and a German family died in a plane crash on Impalila Island, Namibia on Tuesday.

Sep 1, 2022 - 12:15
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Young SA pilot, German family of four dies in Namibian plane crash

Five people died after a plane crashed on Impalila Island along the Zambezi River shortly after take-off on Tuesday, 30 August.

FIVE KILLED IN NAMIBIAN PLANE CRASH

Namibian police spokesperson, Elifas Kuwinga, said the plane took off from an airstrip on Impalila Island at approximately 12:00. He said all five occupants – a South African pilot and a German family of four – died in the crash.

“Investigations into this matter continue and a full incident report will be forwarded soonest,” said Kuwinga to a local publication, The Namibian.

The deceased were later identified as Nicole Mienie from South Africa and Thomas Rings, Dr Evelyn Rings, Alicia Rings and Paulina Rings. The youngest victim, Paulina, was just 17 years old, according to Informante.

Kuwinga said the bodies were transported to the Katima Mulilo State Hospital Mortuary.  The plane has been identified as a Cessna 210 aircraft with a registration number of V5-LMK. It allegedly belongs to a charter company.

According to JacarandaFM, the plane was heading to Rundu, northern Namibia when it went down.

In an unrelated incident, five people were killed when South African Police Service (SAPS) light aircraft crashed at Rand Airport in Germiston on Tuesday. The plane also crashed shortly after take-off.

READ MORE: SAPS aircraft accident investigated

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