SACAA applauds pilot for remaining calm after deadly cobra found in cockpit

A 30-year-old South African pilot has been applauded by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) for his bravery after safely landing his aircraft despite a venomous snake being on board, 11 000ft in the air. 

Rudolf Erasmus was flying with four passengers from Bloemfontein in the Free State to Tshwane on Monday when he had a close encounter with a large Cape cobra which slithered up his back. 

In an incident that has gone viral globally, Erasmus needed to make an emergency landing in Welkom.

Erasmus and the passengers were on board a private plane, a Beechcraft Baron 58,  

Bravery

SACAA congratulated Erasmus for displaying impeccable bravery after landing his aircraft incident-free, albeit under extreme pressure when he discovered a large Cape cobra snake on board.

SACAA’s Director of Civil Aviation, Poppy Khoza, said Erasmus was brave and remained calm. 

“I wish to congratulate Rudolf for the courageous steps taken and for how he handled what could have been a major aviation incident.

“He remained calm in the face of a dangerous situation and managed to land the aircraft safely without any harm to him or his fellow passengers on board, displaying to the world that he is an aviation safety ambassador of the highest order,” Khoza said. 

The cobra is still missing, as engineers who stripped the plane are yet to find it.

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Accidents

In the 2021/22 Financial Year end, the SACAA reported a 25% decrease in general aviation fatal accidents and a 26% decrease in aircraft fatalities.

Cape Cobra

The Cape cobra is regarded as one of the most dangerous species of cobra in Africa, by virtue of its potent venom and frequent occurrence around houses.

According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi), the Cape cobra is one of four non-spitting cobras found in southern Africa.

Venom

An adult is about 1.2m (to 1.6m) in length, and varies in colour from light yellow to rich yellow, copper, or light to medium or dark brown and even black, often speckled with shades of brown and orange.

They do not spit venom, but bite instead, transmitting a very powerful and fast acting neurotoxic venom.

Any bite from a Cape cobra is life-threatening and needs urgent medical care.

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