Flyover cancelled for All Blacks-South Africa third test; aviation officials probe black-box data

South Africa’s aviation safety body: ‘It is critical that we interrogate this past weekend’s events with clear minds.’ 

A planned flyover of this weekend’s All Blacks test match in South Africa has been cancelled, as aviation officials open inquiries into last weekend’s flypast in Cape Town. 

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) confirmed overnight (NZT) that it was analysing the Cape Town flyover, saying it was seeking further information from the airline, Airlink, which operated the two jets. 

SACAA said it had been informed by Airlink that it was withdrawing its application for a flyover for this weekend’s test match in Soweto. 

Airlink said in a new statement that the weather for this weekend was too unfavourable for a safe flyover. 

Its chief executive, de Villiers Engelbrecht, also said: “We never intended to become the news or upstage Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.” 

Airlink has previously defended last weekend’s flyover, saying it complied with all safety requirements. 

It later confirmed it had offered flight data from its two jets’ “black boxes” to the SACAA. 

Last weekend’s flyover, in which the lead Embraer jet is estimated to have come within 50 feet (15.2m) of the DHL Stadium roof in Cape Town, shocked many of the 56,500 fans at the ground – and plenty of the millions who saw it on TV and social media. 

The second jet appeared to be almost as low and was struck by pyrotechnics as it flew over. 

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The flyover is now subject to inquiries by SACAA. 

“Following various discussions in the media relating to the events of the past weekend, the SACAA initiated compliance verifications, engaged the operator, obtained the flight data recording downloads as well as other additional requirements,” SACAA said in its statement, released to the NZ Herald. 

“The regulator has begun its analysis process and has requested additional information from the operator to reach an informed position.” 

SACAA said Airlink had submitted applications for all three test matches in the republic. 

“The applications were submitted in line with the regulatory provisions governing non-passenger or cargo-carrying flights conducted in terms of the provisions of Part 91.06.32 [of civil aviation laws].” 

The two jets fly over Cape Town's DHL Stadium at almost 300km/h - and within 50 feet of the rooftop. 

It said Airlink had provided supporting documents before the Cape Town flyover. 

“The necessary processes [included a] practice flight in a simulator in preparation for the Saturday flight and a safety briefing was conducted ahead of the operation as required by the regulations. 

“This was approved by the regulator, in line with the requirements for special air events.” 

SACAA said it would complete a full report with recommendations and share it with Airlink in due course. 

“The SACAA, as the safety net of the South African skies, gives the public the assurance that aviation safety and security compliance will always remain paramount and is not negotiable. 

“South Africa has one of the most sought-after aviation talents in the world, and as a country we remain proud of the 0% record in fatal accidents in the commercial airline operations space for over four decades. 

“This is a record we intend to uphold well into the future, and it is therefore critical that we interrogate this past weekend’s events with clear minds and data at our disposal to determine if there were any safety concerns which warrant a review, as we seek to continuously strengthen our safety standards. 

“Our State is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for our aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a United Nations specialised agency on civil aviation safety and security. 

“This is achieved with a culture of compliance and a South African aviation industry that prioritises aviation safety and security.” 

Airlink’s position 

In an updated statement, Airlink said it “acknowledges” the SACAA update and review. 

“Similarly, Airlink is grateful for the enthusiastic appreciation that many people have expressed regarding last Saturday’s Cape Town Stadium flyby as well as the valid questions and concerns raised,” said chief executive de Villiers Engelbrecht. 

“However, we never intended to become the news or upstage Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.” 

He said safety was “the first consideration at every stage of the process”. 

“As with all flybys we have conducted, it demanded careful planning, rehearsal and the authorisation, support and guidance of the (SACAA) and Air Traffic Navigation Services to ensure it was performed safely. 

“Both aircraft were flown by crews comprising three senior captains (representing over 75,000 combined flight hours of experience) operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer. Each pilot holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, the highest level of commercial pilot qualification.” 

One of the two Airlink aircraft involved in the flyover in Cape Town was struck by pyrotechnics. 

He said the flyover was performed safely and Airlink had provided the black box data to SACAA on its own initiative. 

The black boxes will have recorded critical data such as speed and altitude. 

“Unlike public flight tracking mobile apps that rely on rudimentary satellite positioning information, the DFDRs on modern commercial jetliners are sophisticated devices able to trace over a thousand parameters and data points to present a precise and complex picture – measured in milliseconds - of every control input, power settings, altitude, horizontal and vertical speed, pitch attitude, acceleration and the visual flight patch along with numerous other readings,” he said. 

The weather forecast this weekend was unfavourable for a safe formation flyby. 

“It is on this basis that we withdrew the application for a flyby this Saturday. As a sponsor, it was not Airlink’s intention to detract from the rugby test matches between South Africa and New Zealand. 

“We’re sorry to disappoint fans and supporters but safety comes first and we’re also certain the players will provide more than enough on-field excitement.” 

Safety debate 

The flyover has led to a polarised debate about the safety margins involved and whether they were breached. 

Some observers have praised the pilots’ skills, calling it a classic example of precision flying, while others believe they were a hair’s breadth away from an unfathomable disaster. 

“[The] safety margins in this stunt were insufficient. The aircraft were too low,” New Zealand pilot Vaughn Davis wrote on social media. 

“Paradoxically, the crowd will have had a better view and seen the aircraft for longer if they’d been higher. 

“Despite the airline’s statement, this won’t have been the planned and authorised altitude. If there’s a flyover at the next match, see if it’s as low.” 

Davis is a former Air Force Hercules pilot who holds an Air Transport Pilot’s Licence, C and D category instructor ratings, instrument rating, low level aerobatic rating, and a formation lead qualification. 

In an earlier statement, a NZ Rugby spokesman acknowledged the flyover tradition but did not say whether the All Blacks would seek any future assurances. 

“Flyovers before test matches in South Africa are a long-standing tradition that fans look forward to, including the two aircraft that flew at low altitude over Cape Town Stadium ahead of the match against South Africa,” he said. 

“NZR is aware that flyovers will take place prior to matches. These flyovers are organised locally and are not something NZR arranges or has oversight of. 

“NZR is not involved in the operational detail of these particular flights, or in the local civil aviation rules and approval processes that govern them.” 

The rules 

A flyover during the All Blacks v South Africa second test match in Cape Town has sparked a safety debate. Photo / action press 

South African aviation officials would have had to give special dispensation for the flyover – the country’s flight safety rules say no aircraft should be flown over built-up areas or over an open-air assembly of people below 1000ft (304m). 

Davis told the Herald that minimum safe heights for visual flying over built-up areas were set out in each country’s civil aviation rules. 

“In New Zealand, for example, aircraft need to be 1000 feet above and 600 metres away from cities, crowds and so on. That said, aviation events such as air shows and planned flyovers can be authorised to fly closer and lower if safety margins are in place.” 

Vaughn Davis (left) in his 1953 DHC-1 Chipmunk plane — with former RAF pilot Bill Macleod in 2025. Photo / Mike Tweed 

But he also added: “There’s a saying in aviation that ‘you can’t break the record for low flying – you can only equal it’.” 

Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and is a former aviation reporter.