Another unwelcome landing at Waterkloof base

11 July 2013 - 02:40 By SIPHO MASOMBUKA
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Pilots view from a Cessna 172
Pilots view from a Cessna 172
Image: geograph.org.uk

A student pilot and two passengers aboard a Cessna 172 light aircraft have been detained and their aircraft impounded by the SA Air Force for violating Waterkloof Air Base air space.

According to defence force spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini, the aircraft - belonging to the Flight Training School - was impounded on Tuesday night and the occupants detained at Lyttleton police station "for further questioning".

He said the military police were following standard procedure.

"The aircraft was piloted by an Austrian who says he is a student pilot and was doing night-flying training between Grand Central and Lanseria airports."

The pilot said he had made four passes over Grand Central but became disoriented.

"He said he realised his transponder was not working when the Lanseria control tower told him that he could not be seen on radar."

Two months ago, the Waterkloof base made headlines when a plane chartered by the Gupta family landed there with guests invited to attend the wedding of the daughter of one of the Gupta brothers.

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