A South African airline was involved in a dramatically low flyby over a packed rugby stadium, earning cheers from the crowd. However, the pre-game stunt sparked discussion about safety.
Low-level flyby sparks safety review from the SACAA
The Embraer-190 and Embraer-195 jets operated by South African airline Airlink flew over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on Saturday just before the match between the country’s Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks.
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 estimated that the lead jet passed just 41-46 feet (12-14 metres) above the roof of the stadium. The second jet was close behind and flew through a cloud of pink dust that shot up from the stadium roof.
Airlink, a sponsor of the Springboks, said authorities provided “guidance, approval and support to ensure a safe flyby” and the flyby was performed according to safety regulations. Each aircraft was flown by three senior captains and no passengers were onboard.
In a statement to CNN, Airlink said:
“The data recorded by both aircrafts’ digital flight data recorders (black boxes) indicate that the flights were performed within the (South African Civil Aviation Authority’s) approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the fly-past.”
On Sunday, Airlink said,
“Airlink notes the concerns expressed in various social media and online forums regarding yesterday’s formation flyby over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium. The flight demanded careful planning and rehearsal, as it required navigating at low altitude, at around 150 knots. The South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services provided valuable guidance, approval and support to ensure a safe flyby.”
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is now investigating the flyby and has “requested additional information from the operator to reach an informed position,” according to a statement posted on X.
In the statement, SACAA also said:
“This is a record we intend to uphold well into the future, and it is therefore critical that we interrogate this past weekend’s events with clear minds and data at our disposal to determine if there were any safety concerns which warrant a review, as we seek to continuously strengthen our safety standards.”
Also in the statement, SACAA said Airlink is “withdrawing its application for approval for a third flypast that was planned for this coming weekend.”
Low-flying aircraft and South African rugby history
Low-flying aircraft like the flyby performed at the DHL Stadium have become a dramatic tradition at South African rugby matches, starting in 1995.
In 1995, a South African Airways Boeing 747 ZS-SAN, nicknamed “LEBOMBO”, captained by Captain Laurie Kay, flew low over Ellis Park in Johannesburg before the Springboks played New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup. The phrase “GOOD LUCK BOKKE” was painted beneath the aircraft’s wings. “Bokke” is a nickname for the Springboks.
Later in 2024, an Emirates Airbus A380 flew over the same stadium.
What are your thoughts on the low-level flyby at DHL Stadium? Let us know in the comments!
