A daring pre-game aerial stunt by two passenger jets flying perilously low over Cape Town Stadium during a high-profile rugby match has ignited concerns about safety risks despite the airline’s claim that the maneuver complied with regulations. The spectacle, which drew enthusiastic reactions from spectators and players alike, saw the lead aircraft skim just feet above the stadium roof, followed closely by a second jet that passed through a burst of pink dust kicked up by the first. Flight tracking data suggests the planes flew at an unusually low altitude, raising questions about whether such stunts should be permitted near large crowds. While the display captivated thousands, aviation safety experts and officials are now weighing the potential dangers against the thrill of such performances.
Cape Town stunt sparks major debate over safety risksAirlink insists flyby conducted according to regulationsA pre-game stunt involving two passenger jets flying dramatically low over a stadium in South Africa drew huge cheers from the estimated crowd of 56,000 people, but also sparked a major debate over safety risks. The flyby by two Embraer jets, operated by the local airline Airlink, happened on Saturday before the second rugby union Test between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town.The flight tracking service Flightradar24 estimated that the lead jet passed just 41-46 feet (12-14 metres) above the roof of Cape Town Stadium, with the crowd and the world’s top-ranked rugby teams below. The second jet, which was very close behind, flew through a cloud of pink dust that shot up from the stadium roof as part of the show. Continue reading...
