SA aviation deaths up despite safety oversight rank

South Africa ranks seventh globally for aviation safety oversight, according to the SA Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa). The country scored 94.99% in the safety oversight assessment, surpassing all other African nations. Sacaa commissioner Poppy Khoza expressed pride in this achievement, stating that it should be a source of national pride.

However, the number of fatalities in general aviation is causing concern. Despite fewer accidents, fatal accidents have more than tripled, increasing from four to 17, while fatalities rose by 243%. During the 2025-26 financial year, 24 people died in general aviation accidents, compared to seven previously. Khoza emphasized that these figures represent lost lives and grieving families.

In stark contrast, scheduled commercial aviation has maintained a record of no fatal aircraft accidents for nearly 40 years. Sacaa is developing a strategy to reduce general aviation accidents, targeting human factors, decision-making, and operational safety. This strategy includes accident reduction seminars, risk management initiatives, and safety publications to improve awareness.

The regulator has also separated aircraft accident investigations from its responsibilities and expanded its environmental oversight duties through amendments to the Civil Aviation Act. A judicial inquest will examine the 2020 crash of Sacaa aircraft ZS-CAR, which claimed the lives of three employees.