A spectacular flypast can energize the crowd before a big sports game, but an incident on Saturday has sparked discussions over safety risks.
Ahead of a rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand, a pair of planes operated by Airlink, a South African airline, soared shockingly close above Cape Town‘s DHL Stadium.
The lead aircraft, an Embraer E195, came within 50 feet of the roof, according to data from Flightradar24. Videos of the incident appeared to show that the other, an E190, was struck by a firework.
SACAA OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO VIRAL AIRLINK LOW FLYPAST OVER CAPE TOWN’S DHL STADIUM
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has confirmed it is conducting compliance verifications into Saturday’s dramatic Airlink flypast ahead of the Springboks vs. All Blacks match… pic.twitter.com/PuEu1Fg7ij— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) September 2, 2026
Some aviation enthusiasts praised the daring display and the pilots’ precision, like South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie.
“It’s a well known fact that we have the best pilots in the world, that was spectacular, next time I will ask the pilots to land on the field,” he joked on X.
However, many others say it was reckless, endangering the 55,000 fans who came to watch the rivalry between the world’s top two rugby teams.
South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said on Wednesday that it was looking into the incident, “following various discussions in the media.”
😱😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/CyPB2QvlOB
— Captain Springbok (@CaptSpringbok) August 29, 2026
Airlink also withdrew its application for another flypast for a game this coming weekend, according to the regulator. The BBC reported that Airlink cited a poor weather forecast.
Another unusually low flyby occurred in Texas in June, when a Boeing 777 freighter came within feet of clipping its wing on the airport pavement as bystanders stood yards away. The FAA is investigating.
Flypasts require special approval from regulators, and the process typically includes a practice flight in a simulator and a safety briefing.
Airlink did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
This piece is from Fly Africa run by Aviator extra ordinnaire, Duncan Gillespie.
A brilliant, if I (being Duncan Gillespie)
may, claim, collected and extremely well written perspective on the current aviation hot potato, by well known aviation persona Franz Smit –
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It told The Guardian that “the flight demanded careful planning and rehearsal,” and said aviation authorities had provided “valuable guidance, approval, and support to ensure a safe flyby.”
While flypasts at sports games in the US typically involve military aircraft and fighter jets, commercial airlines are often used at rugby games.
Famous displays include a Boeing 747 flying over the 1995 World Cup final in Johannesburg, and an Emirates Airbus A380 in 2024.
However, Saturday’s flypast was especially low and may prompt stricter rules.
The SACAA plans a full report with recommendations for Airlink once it has assessed the incident.
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