In a devastating turn of events, South African Air Force veteran and renowned test pilot James O'Connell lost his life during a performance at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha, located 112 km (70 miles) north of Cape Town. Witnesses described their horror as they watched O'Connell's aircraft, a retired Impala Mark 1, plummet from the sky during what was meant to be a routine display.

According to event organizers, the crash occurred when the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and entered a steep dive. Eyewitness videos captured the tragic moments leading up to the crash, showing O'Connell's plane flying upside-down before descending nose-first into the ground, igniting a massive plume of smoke and flames that shocked spectators.

Air show commentator Brian Emmenis, who has known O'Connell for years, recounted their last interaction just before the flight. “He was in a good frame of mind,” Emmenis recalled, adding that they discussed the performance with camaraderie and encouragement. "My words to him were: 'Have a good display, my friend,' and he replied, 'Thanks.'"

As O'Connell took to the skies, Emmenis noticed a concerning attitude as the aircraft transitioned, expressing that he was alarmed by how low the plane was before it ultimately crashed. "I waited and then suddenly saw the flame," he stated, reflecting on the horrific moment. "I never heard the impact; I was too far away, but I saw this huge flame."

A respected figure in the aviation community, O'Connell dedicated nearly 30 years to the South African Air Force before transitioning to the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA) as chief flight instructor and head of the test pilot school. Fellow aviators and fans from around the world have lamented his passing, with Emmenis emphasizing his exceptional skills and the impact O'Connell had on his peers. "South Africa is devastated... aviation is a small world and a band of brothers," he said.

Clive Coetzee, the organizer of the West Coast Air Show, also expressed his sorrow over the incident, sharing that the tragedy deeply affected not just attendees but also fellow pilots. One young pilot even withdrew from his first performance of the day upon witnessing the crash.

As investigations into the accident continue, the TFASA remembered O'Connell as a "true aviation legend" with 36 years of flying experience. The legacy of his professionalism and passion for flying will be felt within the aviation community during this somber time.