South African aviation authorities are currently reviewing a low-altitude flyover conducted by two Airlink passenger jets before a rugby match at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium due to safety concerns. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) stated that they have obtained flight data recordings and requested additional information from Airlink as part of their evaluation process. A comprehensive report with recommendations will be issued upon completion of the review.
Following the scrutiny, Airlink has decided to cancel plans for another flyover at the upcoming rugby match in Soweto. The SACAA, responsible for overseeing aviation safety and security, confirmed this decision. The initial flyover before the Springboks-All Blacks rugby match on Aug. 29 garnered applause from the approximately 56,000 attendees, but it also sparked discussions about safety risks after videos taken by spectators circulated online.
Deandra Peters, a 25-year-old pilot and aviation enthusiast attending her first live rugby match, described the electrifying atmosphere inside the stadium during the flyover. She emphasized that the experience of being among enthusiastic Springbok supporters was difficult to convey through video recordings. Airlink defended the flyover, stating that it was meticulously planned and rehearsed with safety as the top priority at every stage. Each aircraft had three senior captains on board, boasting a combined flight experience of over 75,000 hours.
Acknowledging the mixed reactions, Airlink’s CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht, expressed the airline’s unintended prominence in the news and the overshadowing of the rugby event. The airline had submitted data from the airplanes’ black boxes to the civil aviation authority for assessment earlier in the week. SACAA announced that they would carefully analyze the flight data to determine if any safety concerns warranted further scrutiny.
In light of the ongoing review, Airlink has retracted its application for a flyover scheduled for Sept. 5 over Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium due to unfavorable weather conditions for a safe formation flyby. South African rugby has a history of stadium flyovers during significant matches, dating back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. The recent flyover, characterized by its low altitude and dramatic effect, garnered international attention, leading some aviation experts to question the safety margins of the aircraft’s maneuver.