Airline defends astonishing stunt over packed stadium in South Africa after passenger planes soar just 50ft above roof

A SOUTH African airline has defended itself after a terrifying stunt saw two planes nearly collide above a packed stadium. The jets flew over Cape Town’s DHL stadium as the Springboks prepared for a high-stakes clash versus New Zealand. The jets flew just 50ft over Cape Town’s DHL stadium Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk The two passenger planes were a part of an organised flyover at the rugby game All the cameras looked up as the Airlink Embraer 190s appeared above the crowd in the organised flyover. Fans were left with sweat running down their brows as it looked for a minute that a nasty collision might happen. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Viewers at home were even concerned that they would take a chunk of the stadium roof with them. In response, Airlink said the manoeuvre was carefully planned with the support of the aviation authorities. Fans were shocked at just how close the planes came to the packed stadium Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk South Africa were playing New Zealand as a part of a box office series In a statement published to a government news site the airline said: “The two aircraft were flown by highly experienced crew, with each comprised of three senior captains operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer.” It added that the flights were performed with the “approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast”. Questions were raised over the risk and potential for disaster involving two planes and a packed stadium. According to analysis by flight tracking website Flightradar24, the lead aircraft passed less than 50ft above the top of the stadium. Most read in Sport The latest pics show every angle of terrifying flyover The Springboks secured the victory to take the series level And they were flying at about 120 knots – roughly 131mph – at the time they went over the stadium. The second plane sliced through the colourful smoke from the pyrotechnic show with its right wing. Eager fans rushed online to comment on the close call. One X user wrote: “You’re all very lucky to be alive…” Another said: “Is that even legal?” Someone else added: “I don’t think they were supposed to be that low. Someone may be in trouble.” A fourth commented: “That was stupid, that could’ve ended so badly guys.” But in a post on social media accompanied by the footage, Airlink brushed off the criticism, writing: “Planning. Precision. Performance.” South Africa came out on top following a 33-26 box office clash that marked the second test of ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ series’. Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and skipper Siya Kolisi all got tries on the board. The victory brings them level in the series with the next Test coming in Soweto on September 5. Comment now