2 planes came shockingly close to crashing into a stadium on live TV. Now investigators are probing the incident.
South African aviation authorities are investigating a low-altitude flypast by two Airlink planes that occurred before a rugby match in Cape Town. The incident, which saw one plane pass within 50 feet of a stadium roof, has sparked a debate over safety versus spectacle.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks associated with high-profile public displays and has led to immediate regulatory scrutiny of aviation safety protocols in South Africa.
An Airlink jet flying low over the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday. Stringer/Reuters Two airliners flew narrowly above a South African stadium before a rugby game on Saturday. One came within 50 feet of the roof, and the other appeared to be hit by a firework. Regulators are probing the incident, and the airline withdrew plans for another flypast. 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.
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