Warrant Officer Brian Slade, 53, a member of the South African Air Force (SAAF) Golden Eagles jump team, fell to his death on the Durban Country Club's golf course on Friday. The SAAF is still investigating, but it is believed that Slade - who had more than 5000 jumps to his credit - hit his head on the tail plane of the SAAF Dakota from which he was leaping.
The Department of Defence said the tragedy occurred when he failed to open his parachute.
Ann Robbie, Durban Country Club CEO, said four people were playing golf when Slade fell to his death. "We were quite shocked. We called the authorities immediately. They arrived within minutes. The area was cordoned off. He was declared dead at the scene."
At the air show yesterday, attended by thousands of aviation enthusiasts, an announcer said: "This is a salute to a member of the SAAF, Warrant Officer Brian Slade . flying the flag, we salute Slade, may his memory live on."
A friend of Slade's for 20 years, Ralph Ridge, was the first parachute jumper of the day.
With the Bette Midler song Wind Beneath my Wings blaring, Ridge jumped with an 18m by 27m South African flag attached to his leg.
Minutes after landing, Ridge said the jump was dedicated to Slade. "I knew him very well. He was a good man, and I got very emotional today during my jump," he said.
Slade, a father and grandfather, was an aircraft technician and project support manager who joined the SAAF in 1973. His jumping partner and member of his team, Johnny Beukes, said Slade was like a "brother" to him.
"He was very soft-hearted, an absolute gentleman. We will miss him dearly," said Beukes.
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