adminTHE South African pilot who died after his plane crashed during an air display at Charles Prince Airport in Harare on Tuesday afternoon has been identified as Mark Sampson.
Known simply as Sammy, he was a veteran pilot who has worked for a number of major international airlines.
The tragedy occurred when the one-seater ZUXAX maroon aircraft crashed, as spectators watched, towards the end of the show.
Sammy, who had just returned from Kenya, was preparing for another Air Rally that was slated for yesterday in South Africa.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said they were still investigating the crash.
“The ZRP confirms the death of a foreign national (52) in a plane crash that occurred on 31/05/22 at Charles Prince Airport in Harare where a one-seater maroon aircraft, ZUXAX crashed.
“The pilot was doing rehearsals in preparation for an Air Rally competition in South Africa scheduled for June 1 and was coming from Kenya where another Air Rally competition was held on May 28.
“More details to follow,” said police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nils Flaatten of the Marksmen Aerobatic Team, said:
“It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that today, the MARKSMEN AEROBATIC TEAM can confirm that Mark Sampson, outstanding aviator, honoured team member, trusted number-4 and loyal friend, perished in a flying incident in Harare, Zimbabwe.
“The MARKSMEN AEROBATIC TEAM were on the return leg of a roundabout trip from Cape Town to Nairobi, where the team had performed a successful aerobatic formation display at the Kenyan Défence Force (KDF) Museum Airshow, held in conjunction with the Aero Club of East Africa.
“The MARKSMEN AEROBATIC TEAM is devastated and we are currently working with the Zimbabwean authorities.”
According to tributes being poured, in the wake of the crash, ‘Sammy,’ grew up in Cape Town.
“His flying career started with a PPL in 1990 at age 22 before joining the South African Airforce (SAAF) in 1993 where he trained on the Harvard T6 and flew helicopters for 22 Squadron based in Cape Town.
“He joined the Airlines in 1997 to fly the DC9 & MD80 for Sun Air, followed by B737-200 for Nationwide. In 2001 he moved to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific where he has flown the B747-400 & B777-200 as First Officer. He became Captain on B747-400 and B747-8F in 2015.
“Mark retired from Cathay in 2021 to pursue his love (he) joined Team Xtreme Airshows in 2014 flying the XtremeAir XA42 in China.
“After buying his own XtremeAir XA41 aircraft the well-known 2-ship team expanded and became a regular 4-ship display at South African air shows.
“When not flying aerobatics Mark enjoyed flying his Rotorway helicopter, riding motocross and enduro, mountain biking, and kite surfing in Cape Town.”
MARK “SAMMY” SAMPSON
◆ Team Position: #2 Wingman, Team Media
◆ Total Flying hours: 12,300
◆ Number of aircraft rated on: 23 Airplanes & 6 Helicopters
◆ Age when he started flying: 20
◆ Flying achievements: Advanced World Aerobatics 2010 Poland − 11th place overall, silver medal for Team South Africa. Represented South Africa at Unlimited World Aerobatics 2011 in Italy. Captain on Boeing 747. − H-Metro Reporter/Team Xtreme Airshows.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter