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Jets Fly Dangerously Low Over Rugby Stadium Crowd
31 Aug
Summary
- Two Embraer passenger jets flew just meters above a Cape Town rugby stadium.
- The low flyby occurred during a pre-match show for a rugby game.
- Airlink stated the flights were safe and approved by aviation authorities.
Two Embraer passenger jets executed a daring flyby at a low altitude over a rugby stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, creating a spectacle that drew significant attention and raised safety concerns among onlookers and on social media. The maneuver was part of the entertainment preceding a rugby match between the South African and New Zealand national teams.
Videos circulating online depicted the two aircraft, an Embraer E195 and an E190, flying in tight formation at an estimated 12 to 14 meters above the stadium's roof, accompanied by pyrotechnic smoke. While some described the event as a near-miss or terrifyingly close, the airline Airlink, which organized the event, clarified that the flights were conducted safely.
Airlink emphasized that the flyby received approval and guidance from the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services. The company further stated that the jets were piloted by highly experienced crews, including a safety officer, and operated within pre-approved safety altitudes and speeds. This tradition of stadium flybys has roots in South African rugby, notably the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
