Understanding the factors behind the fatal crash of pilot James O'Connell

In light of the tragic death of experienced pilot James O'Connell, who crashed during a performance at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha, aviation expert Dr. Guy Leitch has provided important insights into the critical factors that contributed to the fatal incident. 

O'Connell, a decorated South African Air Force pilot, was performing a routine display on a retired military aircraft when it suddenly lost altitude and entered a steep dive. Tragically, he did not survive the crash.

Dr. Leitch explained that while well-designed and certified aircraft are generally safe, the real danger arises from performing maneuvers at low altitudes.

Leitch explained the key concept here is that any well-designed aircraft, approved and certified by authorities, is safe when operated correctly. 

“If a maneuver is initiated at 5,000 feet above the ground, there is ample room to recover if something goes wrong. Test flights are typically conducted at very high altitudes to ensure that pilots have enough space for recovery in case of issues.”

He stated that the minimum altitude for an airshow maneuver depends on how well the pilot has been able to safely demonstrate the aircraft. 

Some pilots even have a so-called 'zero-rating' which means they can do low level aerobatics down to the ground.

James O'Connell, the pilot in question, was highly experienced — an instructor who had flown many different types of jets and helicopters.

Despite his expertise, aviation is unforgiving, and even a small mistake at low altitude leaves little room for recovery. 

As Leitch explained, when the plane got too slow and stalled during a roll, it ran out of airspace, and at such low altitudes, there’s no margin for error.

“Fast jets, especially, lose altitude rapidly if something goes wrong.”

Leitch shared that, while watching the tragic scene unfold, he, like any other experienced aviation expert, immediately noticed that the speed was too low. 

“The pilot started the maneuver too slowly and was running out of speed as he came out of the maneuver, which contributed to the tragic outcome.

“In this particular case, the maneuver went wrong at around 300 to 500 feet of altitude. 

“The nose of the aircraft dropped, and it began to descend." 

He explained that the pilot appears to have started the maneuver too slowly and was running out of speed as he came out of it, contributing to the aircraft’s loss of control.”

This tragic incident brings to mind many other examples such as South Africa's Red Bull air race pilot Glen Dell, who also died during an airshow.

“One of the key questions is the minimum altitude for performing such maneuvers. Should it be set at 500 or 1,000 feet above the ground? The minimum altitude, in simple terms, is the safety margin — the lowest altitude at which a pilot can safely maneuver the aircraft,” Leitch said.

Linden Burns, Managing Director of Talking Planes, explained the next steps in the investigation process, emphasising that he was not present on the fatal day and would not speculate on what the cause is.

Burns clarified that air accident investigations are thorough and can take months, or even years, to complete. 

The investigators will examine various factors, including the aircraft’s maintenance history, the pilot's training, weather conditions, and decisions made by the airshow director. 

Burns concluded that a preliminary report is typically published within 30 days, but the final investigation report, detailing the exact cause of the accident, could take up to a year to complete.

Spokesperson for the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), said SACAA ensures pilots maintain necessary skills by requiring them to meet recent and currency standards, undergo proficiency checks, medical tests, and flight assessments. 

He said display pilots, such as those flying the Impala, also undergo a validation process and are subject to mentoring to ensure safety and proficiency.

Majola added that pilots face specific challenges during display flying, including strict adherence to flight sequences and safety standards monitored by a Flight Display Director (FDD) and Safety Officer (FDSO) and said If a pilot fails to meet these standards, they are not permitted to participate.

Majola explained SACAA’s regulatory standards for display pilots are rigorous, with validation flights and oversight by experienced examiners before any event. 

He highlighted that South Africa’s Air Show standards are recognized globally, ranking among the best, according to international airshow councils and acknowledged that while these measures reduce risks,there is no system that can entirely eliminate the potential for accidents, which must be carefully managed, including environmental factors.

"In light of recent incidents, SACAA’s existing training frameworks are deemed sufficient, though continuous improvement in safety standards remains a priorit," Majola said.

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

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