Pilot hailed as an angel
Published: May 8, 2008
Family and friends of pilot Jane Kekana were touched by an angel, because angels fly.
Kekana, 21, who died in a helicopter crash with Altech Netstar co-pilot Peter-John Winterbottom last Saturday, was laid to rest at the weekend.
Well-wishers attended the service at the Pretoria North Roman Catholic Church, were they were told how Kekana was a shining light to her family.
Friend and colleague Precious Mathebela said she had been flying with Kekana since 2006.
“There are no words to describe how I feel,” she said.
Netstar air tracker Kathleen Moonsamy said Kekana was a great pilot.
“It takes a lot of skill to be a Netstar pilot. We have lost someone really good.”
Kekana’s uncle, James Gabanakgosi, described the fatal accident.
“She landed at Rand Airport at about 10am to refuel.
“She spoke to her sister, then returned to the helicopter to take off, but something went horribly wrong.
“It got off the ground, but soon started coming down. She tried to control the machine, but it lost power.
“As it landed, it started skidding. Sparks from the skidding set fire to the refuelled helicopter; there was no way to survive.”
Kekana and Winterbottom died on the scene.
Rand Airport managing director Anton Kruger said witnesses reported that the rotor blades clipped the hangar and the helicopter then hit the tarmac.
Kekana matriculated from Clapham High School in 2004 and enlisted with the SANDF where she completed her basic military training with the SA Air Force (SAAF).
After the basic training she was channelled into air traffic control, but she wanted to join the flying wing.
When the SAAF could not offer her training, she resigned to join Eskom, which was scouting for women to train as helicopter pilots.
Her application was accepted after a national selection process conducted by Eskom and by management from 43 Air School in Port Alfred.
She completed her training in December last year.
In order for her to complete 2 000 flying hours, which are mandatory before deployment to the duty of live-wire maintenance, Eskom sent her and two colleagues on an internship with Netstar.
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