Dramatically low flyby by passenger jets over packed South African stadium sparks safety debate
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- Two Embraer jets operated by South African airline Airlink performed a low-altitude flyby over Cape Town Stadium before a rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand, thrilling about 56,000 spectators but raising safety concerns.
- Flight tracking data showed the lead jet flew just 41 to 46 feet above the stadium roof at approximately 150 knots, with the second jet passing through a cloud of pink dust as part of the pregame show.
- Airlink stated the stunt was carefully planned, rehearsed, and conducted within safety regulations, with three senior captains onboard each jet and no passengers carried during the flyby.
- Aviation experts criticized the low altitude as risky, warning that limited maneuvering space could lead to accidents in case of turbulence or bird strikes, and cautioned against setting a precedent for similar future stunts.
- Airlink has submitted flight data to the South African Civil Aviation Authority for review, which has yet to comment but plans to issue a statement on the incident.
