/ 2 April 2008

Airport says it was not aware of pilot emergency

Authorities at Lanseria Airport said on Wednesday that their air traffic control (ATC) room was not aware of an emergency that led to a crash in which a pilot, Trevor Emmanuel, died.

An airport official who asked not to be named said that ATC was expecting the flight on Tuesday but asked the pilot to wait before landing as the runway was busy.

The official said the pilot did not at this stage notify the ATC that he had a problem and only alerted them when he was given permission to land.

”Once they were notified an emergency team was on standby,” the official said.

Emmanuel was flying from Durban to an unknown destination when his aircraft crashed in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve.

Earlier reports indicated the pilot had requested to make an emergency landing at the airport, but this was denied.

Police spokesperson Jacob Raboroko said Emmanuel had requested permission to land to refuel but was denied permission because there was no available space. — Sapa