The Cape cobra that hitched a lift from Worcestser to Nelspuit via Welkom has disappeared into thin air.
Rudolf Erasmus (30), a pilot flying four passengers from Cape Town to Nelspruit on Monday (03/04), had to make an emergency landing in Welkom when a “fifth passenger” slid down his back.
Erasmus had to declare an emergency over Welkom when a highly venomous Cape cobra made its appearance in the small aircraft.
Once landed, he and his four passengers made a hasty and rapid exit from the Beechcraft Baron. Erasmus is being hailed as a hero for his quick and calm response to a very dangerous situation.
Welkom’s own aviation expert Brian Emmenis was called to help the aircraft land, and arrived with snake handler Johan de Klerk in tow.
As of Tuesday the snake was still in the Baron and expert aircraft engineers from Bloemfontein had to come to Welkom and strip the aircraft of its panels in search of the elusive cobra.
Various pilots in South Africa have rallied around to have Erasmus declared a hero for his expert handling of the situation.
Poppy Khosa, the South African Civil Aviation commissioner has hailed Erasmus as a hero.
“This could have been disastrous. Great airmanship indeed which saved all lives on board. Such an amazing story and great handling of the situation by the pilot. Bravo to great airmanship,” said Khoza.
The hero of the day was indeed the pilot, Erasmus. He says he felt something cold against his back at an altitude of 9 000 feet (2,7 km) on Monday.
“At first I thought it was my water bottle pressing against my back, but then I realised it was something else and did not move.”
He suspected it was a snake because two other pilots had happened to see the Cape cobra near the Beechcraft Baron plane on Sunday in Worcester.
He and his passengers flew from Worcester to Nelspruit on Monday morning. They landed in Bloemfontein for fuel and flew on.
About 60 km north of Welkom, the uninvited Capetonian made his appearance. Erasmus immediately arranged for an emergency landing at Welkom’s airport.
Erasmus eventually flew to Nelspruit on Tuesday evening, hoping and praying that the snake would not re-emerge during the flight. So far there is no sign of the cobra.
