Two Hartbeespoort pilots tragically lost their lives during a plane crash on Friday.

Stephan le Roux (49), a flying instructor and Lourens van Niekerk (27), a student pilot, died when their light aircraft presumably hit power lines during a night flight near Cullinan. The plane crashed to the ground and burst into flames. Van Niekerk, who recently obtained his pilot licence was busy with his night flight rating.
Their aircraft took off from Rhino Park Airfield in Pretoria around 18:30 and on the return flight from Emalahleni to Wonderboom Airport, they presumably experienced engine problems. During an attempt at an emergency landing, the aircraft hit power lines and burst into flames.
The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) said in a statement that it was activated by the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) Air Traffic Control Centre at Wonderboom following the failure of an inbound aircraft to land at Wonderboom Airport.
The ARCC mobilised emergency resources from Gauteng to the aircraft’s last known position. “The combined search and rescue units located the wreckage in Cullinan at approximately 20:40. The two occupants suffered fatal injuries. The ARCC extends its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the deceased.”
Le Roux, a well-known personality in Hartbeespoort and Brits was the owner of Le Roux Cooling & Electrical. “Flying was his passion, it was all he ever wanted to do. Stephan always said he felt close to God when he was flying,’ his wife Aniske said.
Le Roux obtained his commercial licence in 2004 and became an instructor in 2023. “He loved teaching his students. Because he was such a calm and comforting person, they were crazy about him,” she said.
Condolences poured in from his many clients in Hartbeespoort and Brits this week. “The community loved him and we are so thankful for their support,” Aniske said.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Le Roux leaves his wife, son Joël and stepdaughter Lizelle behind.
27-year-old Lourens van Niekerk’s father, Neels van Niekerk said the family was devastated. “He was my only son and had so many talents. He finished his electronic engineering degree in 2018. He wanted to work in Texas in America but the plan did not work out and he joined me in the family business. He was also a very talented piano player,” his father said.
“Lourens always wanted to fly. He first bought a microlight, obtained his licence and then moved on to fixed-wing aircraft. He was planning to do his commercial pilot licence after this. Our hearts are broken.” He leaves his father, mother Petrina and sister Nerina behind.
Lourens’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, 9 November, at 11:00 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Magaliesmoot.
The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the accident.