The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) have confirmed in a statement that it has not been able to make contact with its flight inspection unit aircraft, a Cessna S550 Citation SII, that took-off from George Airport earlier today.

The crew, two males and one female, took off at 10:40 (local time) from the George Airport on a flight calibration mission of navigational aids of the same airport.

The George air traffic control tower could not make contact with the aircraft ten minutes after take-off. The Air Traffic and Navigation Services immediately activated search and rescue.

Update on story

The Aircraft was located by Search and Rescue teams and sadly all on board were declared dead on the scene.

The aircraft was found in the mountains near Robinson Pass North-West of George. The position corresponds with their last radar contact.