Two aircraft conducted a dangerously low flyover of Cape Town Stadium prior to a rugby match featuring South Africa and New Zealand, raising significant safety concerns that have prompted an investigation by aviation authorities.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has initiated a review of the incident, having acquired flight data recordings and sought further details from the regional airline Airlink. A comprehensive report, including recommendations, will be released upon completion of the investigation.
In a statement, the SACAA emphasized the importance of thoroughly examining the events from the previous weekend to ascertain whether any safety issues necessitate further scrutiny.
Following the incident, Airlink has retracted its plans for a similar flyover at an upcoming rugby event in Soweto, as confirmed by the SACAA, which oversees aviation safety and security regulations.
The flyover, which took place before the match between the Springboks and All Blacks on August 29, was met with enthusiastic applause from an audience of approximately 56,000. However, it also ignited a discussion regarding potential safety risks, particularly after videos captured by spectators circulated online.
Deandra Peters, a 25-year-old pilot and aviation enthusiast attending her first live rugby match, described the electrifying atmosphere in the stadium. “While you can view the planes from a distance, the experience of being surrounded by passionate Springbok fans is something that can’t be replicated on video,” she remarked to The Associated Press. “The energy, pride, and emotion created a uniquely South African moment.”
Airlink stated that the flyover was meticulously planned and rehearsed, with safety being their top priority throughout the process. Each plane was operated by a team of three senior captains, collectively amassing over 75,000 flight hours.
This week, Airlink submitted the aircraft’s black box data to the SACAA for evaluation. The regulatory body indicated it would analyze this data to determine if any safety issues arose that would necessitate further investigation.
While acknowledging the excitement generated by the flyover, Airlink also recognized the “valid questions and concerns” that emerged following the event. “We never intended for our actions to overshadow rugby’s most significant rivalry,” stated Airlink’s CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht.
The SACAA noted that Airlink had submitted requests for three flyovers; the recent one in Cape Town was the second, following a previous event in Johannesburg on August 22, both of which were sanctioned in accordance with special air event regulations.
Airlink has since canceled its application for a scheduled flyover on September 1 over Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium, attributing the decision to unfavorable weather predictions that could compromise safety. The SACAA has confirmed the withdrawal of this application.
The tradition of stadium flyovers during major rugby matches in South Africa dates back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, where a Boeing 747 flew over Ellis Park prior to the Springboks facing the All Blacks. However, last Saturday’s low and dramatic flyover attracted international scrutiny, leading some aviation experts to question whether sufficient clearance had been maintained.
