Missing pilot found in Botswana

SOUTH African pilot Charles Wooler has been found and is back in South Africa.

A search operation traced his light aircraft’s disappearance between Keetmanshoop and Upington last Sunday. Wooler was found in an isolated settlement in Botswana, in the Kalahari Desert, at around 16h10 on Wednesday.His two-seater Diamond Katana had been found earlier in the day in south-western Botswana, in an area described as extremely remote, with little radio and no cellphone reception.Wooler’s position was discovered by a Botswana Defence Force helicopter that had been part of the search team looking for him.According to Botswana Civil Aviation director Olefile Moakofi, who spoke to South African media after Wooler’s rescue, the pilot had been greeted by a crew of ground searchers, including Botswana police, wildlife and medical personnel.Wooler had left a note in the plane that he was walking in a southward direction from its position, which allowed the rescuers to focus their search.He was then taken to a Botswana hospital for health checks.Wooler left Keetmanshoop airport at 09h21 on Sunday, and was scheduled to arrive at Upington, South Africa, at around 11h13.He was travelling two minutes behind a friend and fellow pilot, Chris Martinus, who had been in contact with him until about 130 km outside of Upington, according to Air Traffic Control Chief in Windhoek, Christian Sell.Both Wooler and Martinus are members of the Krugersdorp flight club.Wooler was found in an isolated settlement in Botswana, in the Kalahari Desert, at around 16h10 on Wednesday.His two-seater Diamond Katana had been found earlier in the day in south-western Botswana, in an area described as extremely remote, with little radio and no cellphone reception.Wooler’s position was discovered by a Botswana Defence Force helicopter that had been part of the search team looking for him.According to Botswana Civil Aviation director Olefile Moakofi, who spoke to South African media after Wooler’s rescue, the pilot had been greeted by a crew of ground searchers, including Botswana police, wildlife and medical personnel.Wooler had left a note in the plane that he was walking in a southward direction from its position, which allowed the rescuers to focus their search.He was then taken to a Botswana hospital for health checks.Wooler left Keetmanshoop airport at 09h21 on Sunday, and was scheduled to arrive at Upington, South Africa, at around 11h13.He was travelling two minutes behind a friend and fellow pilot, Chris Martinus, who had been in contact with him until about 130 km outside of Upington, according to Air Traffic Control Chief in Windhoek, Christian Sell.Both Wooler and Martinus are members of the Krugersdorp flight club.