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Pilot injured while pursuing suspected poachers at Kruger

A pilot was injured when a SANParks fixed-wing aircraft went down in the Kingfisherspruit section of the Kruger National Park on Saturday afternoon.

The aircraft, a Foxbat Bantam, was on an anti-poaching mission when it went down while in pursuit of suspected poachers, park spokesperson Ike Phaahla said in a statement.

Initial investigations indicate that engine failure resulted in the hard landing.

“Details are still sketchy at the moment, but no fatalities have been reported,” he said.

“The pilot has been assessed by the Skukuza resident doctor and is being flown to Nelspruit MediClinic for a thorough check up after sustaining a gash to his head and minor lacerations.”

Managing executive of the Kruger National Park Glenn Phillips said he was relieved that no one was killed.

“We are grateful that the pilot seems fine at this stage and we will give him all the support to get through this traumatic experience. Our prayers are with him and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

The cause of the incident is being investigated.

Breaking news: Suspected poachers arrested despite pursuing aircraft going down

The pilot had been assessed by the Skukuza resident doctor and was then flown to Nelspruit MediClinic for a thorough check up.



KNP regional ranger and pilot Steven Whitfield in the Foxbat when it arrived at Skukuza in October. The craft went down in pursuit of suspected rangers today. Photo Mariana Balt

Despite sustaining a gash to his head and other lacerations, Steven Whitfield was still more concerned about the loss of his fairly-new Foxbat A22LS aircraft in the war against rhino poachers, than about himself.

This Marula North regional ranger and pilot of the Kruger National Park (KNP) went down in the Kingfisherspruit section this afternoon, while in pursuit of suspected poachers.

According to Whitfield he experienced an engine failure but managed to put down the aircraft.

The incident was confirmed by SANParks media specialist Ike Phaahla. “Details are still sketchy at the moment but we are thankful that he is alive.”

He added that rangers arrested the two suspected poachers.

“The pilot had been assessed by the Skukuza resident doctor and was then flown to Nelspruit MediClinic for a thorough check up.”

On Saturday evening Whitfield’s wife Heleen expressed her relief about his miraculous survival. “If he wasn’t such a good pilot, he would not have been able to put down the aircraft. He sustained minor injuries and was not even admitted to hospital. It really is a miracle and I am very grateful to God.”
Managing executive of the KNP, Glenn Phillips, also expressed his relief that there were no fatalities. “We are grateful that the pilot seems fine and we will give him all the support to get through this traumatic experience. Our prayers are with him and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery”.

Investigations are underway in order to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Lowvelder reported on the arrival of this aircraft in October 2018. At the time Whitfield described the presence of the Foxbat as pivotal in the anti-poaching struggle.

The cost-effective Foxbat played an essential role in monitoring rhinos, identifying and responding to threats, and ensure that Kruger’s anti-poaching unit is better equipped when it comes to combating increasingly sophisticated gangs of rhino poachers.

Whitfield later confirmed that the craft had been successful in several arrests, even during its maiden expedition.

The aircraft was donated by the MyPlanet Rhino Fund and financed by supporters swiping their MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet cards at participating retailers.

The Foxbat was based at Satara, in a newly built hangar that was jointly funded between MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and StopRhinoPoaching.com.

Lucky Stephen!

Glad he is ok

Thankfully he's ok!!

Sad that he crashed, but glad that he is fine.

Maybe time for him to sit back and think, this is his second crash while on duty.

Ja Steve is The Tshokwane Section Ranger and brother in law to Don English ..great guy and his Dad the Late Ted Whitfield was one of the true Ranger legends in Kruger ..Made beautiful knives

I'm so glad Stephen is ok! That could have been tragic...

BrianPel wrote: ↑Wed Feb 13, 2019 2:40 pm I'm so glad Stephen is ok! That could have been tragic...

Welcome to the forum BrianPel