South African airline behind low-level flyby stunt cancels repeat display
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Forecast of unfavourable weather cited as reason
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Aircraft passed less than 50 feet above stadium
The South African airline Airlink has cancelled a planned flypast before Saturday’s Springboks-All Blacks rugby Test as the country’s arline last week
Airlink said on Wednesday it had withdrawn its application for a formation flyby ahead of the Rugby Championship clash at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, citing forecasts of unfavourable weather. The South African civil a is conducting a compliance verification of the airline’s 29 August flypast over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium
“We are currently conducting a compliance verification just to satisfy ourselves that all safety protocols were adhered to by the crew,” said the SACAA executive Phindiwe Gwebu.
Just before the start of the second Test between South Africa and New Zealand, two Airlink Embraer aircraft flew in formation over the packed stadium, drawing widespread attention on social media. According to the flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet (15m) above the top of the stadium.
The SACAA said it was analysing flight data recorder downloads provided by the airline and had requested additional information from the operator before reaching a conclusion.
Airlink said it had voluntarily provided the data and maintained the flyby “was performed safely” by crews comprising three senior captains with a combined 75,000 hours of flying experience. “Although we have also heard the widespread enthusiasm for a flyby at FNB Stadium this weekend, the forecast weather points to unfavourable conditions for a safe formation flyby,” the chief executive, De Villiers Engelbrecht, said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand have announced three changes to their starting lineup for the third Test at Soccer City on Saturday, including dropping experienced hooker Codie Taylor. Asafo Aumua will take his place with Samisoni Taukei’aho coming onto the bench in the change to the front row.
Sam Darry will play his first test of the four-match series as he replaces Fabian Holland in the second row, with Holland dropping to the bench and Patrick Tuipulotu falling out of the matchday squad. Peter Lakai is brought into the loose trio in place of Simon Parker, with Wallace Sititi included among the replacements for the first time in the Test series.
The backline remains unchanged from last Saturday’s 33-26 loss to the Springboks in the second test in Cape Town. Ardie Savea will again captain the side with a five-three split between forwards and backs on the bench..
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