By Palesa Matlala
· A light aircraft crashed into Hoërskool Alberton’s tuckshop during an emergency landing, but both the pilot and instructor walked away unharmed.
· The Gauteng Education Department says National Senior Certificate exams will continue as planned despite the crash on school grounds.
A student pilot and their instructor had a lucky escape after their small aircraft crash-landed at a school in Alberton.
The plane made an emergency landing on the rugby field of Hoërskool Alberton on Saturday, 26 October. It slammed into the school’s tuckshop during the landing.
Tikkie MacDonald, spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni emergency services, said the two were busy with a final flight evaluation for a private pilot licence when the engine failed.
“The light aircraft experienced an engine failure, necessitating an emergency landing, crashing into the school’s tuckshop,” said MacDonald.
He confirmed that both the instructor and student escaped without injuries.
The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed the crash and said an investigation into the cause is now under way.
“There will be no disruption to the school programme or the National Senior Certificate examinations,” said department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
He added that parents have been asked to make sure pupils bring their own food while repairs to the tuckshop are under way.
The department thanked the school’s management, emergency workers and aviation officials for their quick response.
The incident has been reported to the Civil Aviation Authority and is being investigated.
Pictured above: Crashed aircraft
Image source: Supplied
