Mystery of jet's ejecting artist

By Bianca Capazorio

The Department of Defence is still investigating how Barrydale artist Pieter van Tonder was ejected from one of their Silver Falcon aircraft last month.

Defence spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini this week confirmed the name of the civilian who, apparently accidentally, ejected himself from the aircraft near Air Force Base Langebaanweg.

Dlamini said from time to time civilians made requests for flights and these were "strictly controlled and approved at the highest level".

"But Van Tonder is an artist and might have wanted to see the view."

Dlamini said Van Tonder's request had been approved and investigators were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the ejection that shot him through the plane's perspex canopy and 100 metres into the air. Van Tonder escaped uninjured and was rescued by a helicopter.

Dlamini said the deadline for the investigation had been December 7, but a final report had yet to be made. Once this was done, the report would be sent to the air force aviation safety board for scrutiny.

"They have until February to respond. The findings might lead to further action by our legal team if we find there has been misconduct."

There was as yet no indication what had resulted in the black and yellow ejection handle being pulled. Initial media reports suggested it had been pulled by accident.

Under general aviation safety protocols, the position and function of the lever would have been explained to Van Tonder before take-off.

Attempts to contact Van Tonder were unsuccessful, but it has been established that he is in his late 20s and is an up-and-coming artist whose surreal landscape paintings are advertised on the internet.

Van Tonder, the son of a dominee, was an achiever, both academically and in sport, at a top Afrikaans school. He was described by one acquaintance as "a free spirit, as very arty people are". The acquaintance said he was very
well regarded in some art circles for his landscapes.

Van Tonder has lived for some months in an old cottage on a farm in Barrydale owned by Tom Garvin. He has moved the cottage's bath into the veld and heats the water with a fire underneath it before taking his ablutions in
the open.

He also takes long hikes through the nearby mountains barefoot, although the region is known for its puffadders and Cape cobras.

Garvin has been unable to contact him for several weeks.

Souce: Weekend Argus