South Africa: Divers recover body of helicopter pilot

Divers on Wednesday afternoon recovered the body of a trainee pilot killed when his helicopter crashed into the sea off Cape Point.

"We recovered the body around 4.45pm and brought it ashore," said Jacques Smit, of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre.

The pilot and his Robinson R22 crashed during a solo flight on Tuesday morning.

Family members identified the body as that of 41-year-old Cornelius Marthinus Erasmus of Plattekloof, Western Cape police spokesman Superintendent Billy Jones said.

The Simon's Town police would open an inquest docket for investigation and an autopsy would be conducted soon.

The helicopter wreckage would be handed to the Civil Aviation Authority for investigation, Jones said.

Source: www.iol.co.za