The aviation community and local residents are uniting in an emotional search for veteran pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray, who vanished after his light aircraft went down off the coast near Durban last Thursday afternoon.
The 61-year-old, known both as a seasoned South African Airways pilot and an aerobatic flyer, has not been found, and efforts to locate him have only grown more determined as days pass.
Authorities, volunteers, and family members are hoping that recovering evidence from the wreckage will not only help explain what happened but also bring some closure to those waiting anxiously for answers.
High-Tech Tools Brought Into the Search
To comb the ocean floor more effectively, search teams have deployed advanced sonar technology this week.
Using a NORBIT MULTI BEAM SONAR system, supplied by Johannesburg-based survey company SEA SHADOW with support from Durban Marine, crews are able to map the seabed in extraordinary detail.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, NSRI rescue boats, SA Navy divers, and Police Search and Rescue teams joined forces to scan targeted areas.
Their efforts were further supported by Good Samaritan Peter Jacobs, who offered his private vessel fitted with a GARMIN system to run additional grid searches.
Officials praised the collaboration, calling the technology “instrumental” in guiding divers and narrowing down possible locations of the wreckage.
A True Multi-Agency Effort
The operation has brought together a wide network of specialists and volunteers.
Leading the recovery mission are Police Search and Rescue divers, assisted by:
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SA Navy divers
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Durban Underwater Club (DUC)
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A RESCUE SA diver
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Metro Police Search and Rescue
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eThekwini lifeguards and authorities
Meanwhile, Metro Police patrols remain vigilant along the coastline, ready to secure any debris that surfaces.
All recovered wreckage is being stored at Virginia Airport in a Metro Police hangar, where investigators from the Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID) and SAPS are carefully cataloguing each piece.
Authorities Appeal to the Public
Investigators have urged anyone along the North Coast and maritime community to report any sightings of potential wreckage.
Even small fragments may prove vital to understanding the final moments of the flight.
Reports can be made through the following channels:
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SAPS: 10111
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NSRI Emergency Operations Centre: 087 094 9774
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Marine VHF Radio: Durban Radio or Durban Port Control
Supporting the Family During a Difficult Time
Authorities confirmed that some personal belongings from the wreckage have already been returned to the family, with others to follow.
They stressed that the family is being kept fully briefed and is receiving ongoing care and support.
Out of respect, they have asked for privacy as the search continues.
Community Stands in Solidarity
While the outcome remains uncertain, the scale of the operation—and the many hands contributing to it—has shown just how deeply the loss of Andrew Blackwood-Murray is felt.
His reputation as both a professional pilot and a passionate flyer has left a lasting mark, and the search to bring answers continues with determination and hope.
