By New York Post (World News) | Created at 2026-08-29 23:28:47 | Updated at 2026-08-30 01:04:34
1 hour ago
Two regional airline jets were caught on camera nearly hitting the top of a South Africa stadium as as they participated in a dramatic — and near disastrous — pre-game flyover above a packed international rugby game.
“It looks like the airplanes almost hit the top of Cape Town stadium,” one horrified social media user wrote, while another quipped.
“That was a bit dicey if you ask me. Shoo-wee”
In one video taken atop the stadium, the jets appear to come within just several feet from slamming into the roof of the sporting venue as fireworks go off — and appear to rise higher than the lower of two airplanes.
“That could’ve been catastrophic,” one user on X reacted.
“Both those aircraft were too low especially the lead aircraft and I suspect the stadium pyrotechnics were not part of the planning nor the brief,” wrote another.
The pair of Embraer E-Jets belonging to South African regional airline Airlink performed the ultra low-altitude flyby over the 55,000-capacity DHL Stadium in Cape Town, prior to kick-off on Saturday between the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks rugby teams, according to local outlet Cape Town Etc.
The dramatic flyover, which was broadcast on national television, showed the jets specifically painted in an all-green livery for the match, thundering remarkably low above the stadium roof.
Different video angles posted to social media show the aircraft sweeping incredibly close to the top of the 164-foot stadium roof — particularly as the tail of the first jet seemed to dip towards the stadium while the aircraft pitched upwards.
While one camera angle shows the first jet seemingly skimming the roof of the stadium, another video suggests that there was more space between the jet and the building.
Flight tracking data reportedly indicated the aircraft had a barometric altitude of around 164 feet as it soared above the stadium, aviation outlet PYOK reported.
However, aircraft flying near large structures, such as a stadium, can appear much closer to the building than it actually is — particularly when viewed from a low camera angle.
A flyover spectacle can also appear much more dramatic when an aircraft changes pitch.
Available flight information, however, does not suggest that the Airlink jets were at risk of colliding with the 55,000 seat stadium, Cape Town Etc reported.
Low-altitude flyby events have been a longstanding tradition in South African sporting history, according to the local publication.
The tradition dates back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final where a South African Airways Boeing 747 flew atop a packed Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg before the clash between South Africa and New Zealand.
The Post reached out to Airlink but did not immediately receive a request for comment.
