Flight Details
Aircraft Type: Embraer ERJ-190AR (E190) Operator: Airlink (South Africa) Registration: ZS-YZB Flight Number: 4Z657 Route: Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Hoedspruit Airport (FAHS), South Africa Date of Incident: 3 December 2024 Total Occupants: 62 (58 passengers and 4 crew) Weather Conditions: Daylight, VMC conditions; no adverse weather reported
Introduction
On 3 December 2024, an Airlink Embraer E190 landing at Hoedspruit Airport, South Africa, struck multiple impalas during its landing roll on runway 09. The aircraft, arriving from Cape Town with 62 people on board, was in the process of decelerating when a group of impalas ran across the runway. Despite visual checks on final approach, the herd appeared suddenly during the high-speed rollout. The right main landing gear collided with five animals, killing them instantly. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the right engine nacelle and remained on the ground for post-flight inspection. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) concluded its final investigation on 18 April 2025, identifying wildlife incursion and limited visual range as the main contributing factors.
Sequence of Events
Flight 4Z657 approached runway 09 at Hoedspruit under clear weather conditions. Standard operating procedures at the airfield call for a runway inspection vehicle to sweep the runway before arrivals due to the known wildlife hazard in the area. On this occasion, the air traffic control (ATC) tower was aware of the aircraft’s estimated time of arrival and intended to dispatch the runway inspection vehicle.
However, the airport vehicle’s two-way radio was unserviceable at the time of the flight, making communication with the tower impossible. With the inspection vehicle grounded, the crew opted for a visual confirmation of runway status on short final, consistent with wildlife hazard procedures.
Descending through 500 feet and again at 200 feet above ground level (AGL), the crew saw no sign of animal activity on or near the runway. The approach was stabilised, and the aircraft touched down on runway 09 at approximately 1104Z at a speed near 130 knots.
Shortly after touchdown, while decelerating under the aircraft’s autobrake system, the captain noticed a group of approximately ten impalas entering the runway from the left. The animals began to cross but stopped mid-runway in the aircraft’s path. The captain immediately disengaged autobrakes and applied full manual braking.
Despite evasive action, the right main landing gear struck five impalas at a position approximately 500 metres from the touchdown point. The impact fatally injured all five animals. The remaining impalas scattered into the surrounding bushland. The aircraft continued its rollout and exited the runway normally at the taxiway. At 1124Z, the aircraft was parked and shut down safely.
Crew & Communication
The crew’s actions adhered to standard Airlink operating procedures and Hoedspruit’s local protocols for wildlife monitoring. Communication with tower personnel confirmed their attempt to coordinate a runway inspection, but the unserviceable radio in the inspection vehicle left no method to ensure wildlife clearance ahead of the landing.
During the approach, the pilot flying (captain) maintained visual surveillance of the runway, and the pilot monitoring (first officer) remained in radio contact with the tower. The decision to land was based on the absence of visual indications of wildlife and the inability of ground teams to perform a sweep.
Post-impact, the crew maintained full control of the aircraft and reported the event promptly to ATC and the airline’s safety department. Emergency services were not required, and no passengers were injured.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The Embraer E190 involved in the incident was equipped with standard deceleration systems, including autobrake, anti-skid, and thrust reverser functionality. The captain’s transition from autobrake to full manual braking was performed in response to the sudden appearance of animals in the deceleration path.
Minor damage was sustained to the right engine nacelle lower surface. No structural damage to the landing gear, control surfaces, or fuselage was reported. The aircraft was removed from service for the remainder of the day for inspection and cleaning before being cleared for operations the following day.
Wildlife strikes during landing rollout are particularly hazardous due to limited time for avoidance manoeuvres and high ground speed. The Embraer’s systems functioned correctly, and there was no failure of steering, braking, or aircraft integrity during the event.
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
There were no reports of injuries or panic onboard. The cabin crew were informed of the situation post-landing, and passengers disembarked normally. The impact with the impalas, though abrupt, was not accompanied by cabin smoke, decompression, or onboard alarms. Some passengers seated near the right main gear area may have felt the impact.
Airlink issued a public statement acknowledging the incident, assuring that safety procedures were followed and that all passengers were unharmed.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
Following the landing, Hoedspruit Airport authorities removed the animal carcasses from the runway and conducted a surface inspection for debris or residual biological matter. There was no need for runway closure beyond standard clearance time. The aircraft was towed to a remote stand for post-flight inspection.
Airlink technical staff and local veterinary authorities coordinated the removal and disposal of the impala remains. A wildlife management report was filed in accordance with South African wildlife regulations.
The runway inspection vehicle’s unserviceable status was rectified within 24 hours, and corrective actions were initiated by the airport operator to prevent recurrence.
Investigation Status
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) led the investigation and published its final report on 18 April 2025. The investigation concluded that the cause of the incident was:
Wildlife incursion on the runway during the aircraft’s landing roll.
Contributing factors included:
Unpredictable animal behaviour and movement. ATC’s limited visual range from the tower to the far end of runway 09. The unserviceable radio in the runway inspection vehicle, preventing a pre-landing sweep.
The SACAA interviewed flight crew, ATC personnel, and wildlife authorities at Hoedspruit. Flight data confirmed that the aircraft was on the centreline and operating within normal deceleration parameters when the collision occurred.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
Primary Cause: Wildlife incursion during landing rollout Contributing Factors: Inability to clear runway via inspection vehicle due to communication failure Sloped runway at Hoedspruit limiting visual line-of-sight from control tower Herd behaviour of impalas resulting in unpredictable movement
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
The SACAA issued the following safety advisories:
Immediate inspection and regular functional checks of all wildlife inspection vehicle communications equipment. Implementation of additional visual surveillance aids at Hoedspruit, including runway-end cameras. Revised local procedures requiring increased vigilance when inspection vehicle services are unavailable. Recommendations for wildlife fencing improvements and perimeter patrol expansion at vulnerable airports near wildlife habitats.
This incident highlights the unique risks posed by wildlife in remote and semi-rural airports. While fencing, patrolling, and standard wildlife management systems exist, operational gaps—particularly in communication infrastructure—can have serious safety implications.
Conclusion
The impala strike involving Airlink’s E190 at Hoedspruit underscores the persistent challenge of wildlife management in aviation. Despite best efforts from flight crews and ATC, the combination of limited equipment functionality and the unpredictability of herd animals resulted in a high-speed runway incursion during landing.
The flight crew responded swiftly and professionally, preventing escalation and ensuring a safe outcome for all on board. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining wildlife hazard mitigation systems and ensuring all airport safety equipment remains operational—particularly at airports located in close proximity to natural reserves and game corridors.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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