The venomous Cape cobra was nowhere to be found on the aircraft after the pilot made an emergency landing in a South African town.
A deadly snake under a South African pilot’s seat caused an emergency landing.
Rudolf Erasmus alerted his four fellow commuters when he felt “something cold” slide across his lower back.
“Receding under the seat” was a Cape cobra’s head.
Due to the potency of their venom, Cape cobras are among the most hazardous cobra species in Africa.
A single puncture can be fatal within 30 minutes.
“There was a moment of stunned silence,” said Mr. Erasmus, adding that everyone was able to maintain their composure.
The pilots contacted air traffic control and requested permission to make an emergency landing in Welkom, a town in central South Africa 10 to 15 minutes distant.
When the aircraft landed, emergency personnel and a snake handler were on hand to assist the “visibly shaken” passengers. However, the story took an unexpected turn at this point.
Johan de Klerk, a snake handler, and a group of aviation engineers searched the aircraft for nearly two days but had not located the cobra by Wednesday.
They were uncertain as to whether it had gone unnoticed.
Because Mr. Erasmus’ engineering company needed the plane back, he was compelled to fly the 90-minute voyage back with the possibility that the cobra was still on board.
Mr. Erasmus wore a heavy winter coat, draped a blanket around his seat, and kept a fire extinguisher, insect repellent, and golf club within reach. “I was on high alert,” he said.
The aircraft has now been stripped, and there is still no trace of the poisonous snake.
“I hope it finds a home,” Mr. Erasmus stated.
“Not my aircraft at all.”
