MBABANE - Adverse weather conditions have forced rescue helicopters to abandon the search for the aircraft that went missing on its way from King Mswati III International Airport to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA).
The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) said two helicopters were dispatched to assist in the aerial search, but both were forced to return to base due to poor visibility and deteriorating weather in the Barberton area, Mpumalanga.
The plane, which took off from Sikhuphe on Wednesday afternoon, was expected to land at KMIA at 1:53pm but never arrived.
Eswatini Air Traffic Control reportedly lost contact with the pilot shortly after take-off and no further communication has been received since.
Following the loss of contact, the ARCC immediately activated the Mpumalanga Early Warning Network and launched search and rescue operations.
“Based on positional data, search teams were deployed to a designated primary search area. Ground SAR teams remain mobilised and are actively directing efforts within the primary area. However, adverse weather continues to pose significant challenges.” reads part of a statement issued by ARRC yesterday.
The centre said a coordinated effort involving multiple rescue and emergency units was underway. Among those participating are the Search and Rescue South Africa (SARZA), ER24, Emer-G-Med, SAPPI, Fidelity Air, Netcare HEMS (Aeromed4) and Working on Fire.
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The plane, which took off from Sikhuphe on Wednesday afternoon, was expected to land at KMIA at 1:53pm but never arrived. (Pic: kmiiiairport.co.sz)