South Africa Investigates Low-Flying Passenger Jets at Rugby Match
South Africa investigates low-flying passenger jets at rugby matches after two Airlink aircraft flew over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium before the Springboks-All Blacks Test on August 29. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is reviewing the flight after concerns were raised about the unusually low and dramatic maneuver.
The regulator has obtained flight data recordings from the aircraft and requested additional information from Airlink. The SACAA said it will assess the data before issuing a report with recommendations. The review is intended to determine whether the flight raised safety concerns that require further action.
The South Africa rugby flyover drew loud cheers from an estimated 56,000 spectators at the stadium. Videos of the aircraft quickly spread online, prompting questions from aviation observers about the amount of safety margin during the maneuver. Airlink said the operation had been carefully planned and rehearsed, with safety considered throughout the process.
The airline said each aircraft carried three senior captains, with the crews having more than 75,000 combined flight hours. Airlink also supplied the aircraft’s black-box data to the aviation authority earlier in the week. The airline acknowledged the concerns that followed the spectacle while maintaining that safety was its primary consideration.
The Cape Town stadium flyover was the second of three applications made by Airlink for special rugby flyovers. The first took place in Johannesburg on August 22, and both received approval under requirements for special air events. Airlink has since withdrawn its application for another flyover planned for September 1 at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium.
Airlink said unfavorable weather conditions were behind the withdrawal of the Johannesburg event. The SACAA confirmed that the application had been withdrawn. The decision comes as the regulator continues its review of the Cape Town operation.
The South Africa rugby flyover also revived attention around a long-standing tradition. Stadium flybys have featured at major South African rugby events since the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, when a Boeing 747 passed over Ellis Park before South Africa played New Zealand.
The SACAA review will determine whether the Airlink passenger jets’ flight involved any safety issues and whether changes are needed for future stadium flyovers.
