Hawk pilot named
Date: 9 March 2011
By Kim Helfrich
A JET pilot in training collapsed and died after safely landing his Hawk Mk120 on the runway at AFB Makhado.
Medics were at the aircraft as soon as it had safely shut down but were unable to save the pilot, stationed at 85 Combat Flying School.
The cause of death is unknown and will form part of the investigation into the incident. An autopsy will be conducted to ascertain and confirm the cause of death.
A board of enquiry has also been convened and it is expected to start work this week.
The dead pilot was Second Lieutenant Richard Llewellyn Lavis(24) of Vryburg, Northern Cape. He is survived by his mother and a brother SA Air Force media liaison officer Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Maseko said.
Lavis will be buried at the Limpopo air base on Monday.
