Helicopter crash claims life of city pilot

By Hanti Otto and Charles de Olim

Kottie Breed (42), a former South African Air Force captain from Centurion, was to return home from his working trip on his son Keuler's 12th birthday next month, but it was not to be.

Breed, along with four BHP Billiton executives on board the helicopter he was piloting, were killed in a crash on Friday afternoon in bad weather about 80km from a diamond exploration facility in north-eastern Angola. His wife of 15 years, Anne-Marie, described Breed's love of flying as not just a job, but his life's passion.

The pilot with more than 15 years flying experience left South Africa on October 29 and was due home on December 18 after completing a work assignment in Angola. He had been working for Wild Dog Helicopters, a company specialising in providing helicopter support and charter throughout Africa, and based at Lanseria Airport, for more than a year. "They contacted me at 6.30am on Saturday informing me of the accident," an emotional Anne-Marie said. She related how their only child regarded his father as a hero.

Mining giant BHP Billiton yesterday suspended its operations in Angola following the incident that killed several leading executives and Breed. "Current focus is the safety and well-being of the staff. All operations in Angola have been suspended and an investigation has been launched," the statement said.

The dead are BHP's chief operating officer in Angola, Australian David Hopgood, British operations manager Kevin Ayre, another British staffer Guy Sommerfield, Namibian businessman Louwrens Prinsloo, and Breed, the South African pilot.

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