by Thinus Ferreira
Mynie Steffens, the TV chef of the Afrikaans lifestyle cooking show Speel met Vuur on VIA (DStv 147) died on Monday morning near Patensie in the Eastern Cape province in a helicopter crash. She was 43.
The helicopter was busy spraying crops on a farm. Mynie Steffens was the co-presenter of Speel met Vuur together with Aldi van der Walt. Aldi van der Walt was also the director of the TV series.
According to Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, Eastern Cape police spokesperson, the helicopter crash happened just before 8:00 this morning.
The female crop duster pilot died on impact after the Robinson helicopter struck power lines and crashed on the Roodegrond farm while spraying crops at the farm outside Patensie. An inquest docket has been opened.
Mynie Steffens was the only person in the helicopter. She got her flying licence in 2022.
Exec Ops, in a Facebook post, said Exec Ops, Relay EMS and other emergency services responded to the incident.
"Due to the sensitive nature of the incident and ongoing investigations, no further details can be shared at this stage. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy."
Sisa Majola, South African Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa) spokesperson, said the Accidents and Incidents Investigation Division confirmed that a Robinson R22 helicopter with registration ZS-DLF crashed at a citrus farm in Patensie today.
"The pilot was the sole occupant on board, and was fatally injured. The pilot was conducting a pest control operational flight when the helicopter struck power lines and crashed."
"The helicopter itself was substantially damaged due to impact force. Investigators have been dispatched to the site where a preliminary report will be published on the Sacaa website 30 days from the day of this accident."
