topic Re: SNAKES really on a plane in Community Chat

SNAKES really on a plane

Mindy D — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:18:47 GMT

A pilot, Rudolph Erasmus, really held his cool on the job on Monday. He had four passengers aboard a light aircraft out of South Africa. During the flight he felt something cold slide across his lowerback, side or hip, depending on which source I read. He thought the cold sensation was his water bottle leaking so he looked downward and saw the head of a large Cape Cobra moving under his seat. He took a few seconds to compose himself and then told the passengers about the snake being on board. Everyone became quiet. The pilot remained cool and radioed air traffic control to attempt an emergency landing in Welkom, SA.

He continued flying the craft for around fifteen more minutes and was able to land the plane with the snake still near his feet. The pilot kept looking down to check and kept seeing his his reptilian passenger under his seat.

Brian Emmenis, a man working at the Welkom radio station and an aviation expert was given a call to see if he could help with the situation. He called fire rescue and they sent some emergency workers along with a snake handler to the airport to be ready to help upon the landing. The pilot and passengers emerged from the plane safe, but seeming visibly shaken from their ordeal.

The plane was searched by the snake expert, the snake handler and aviation engineers for two days but they were not able to find the cobra.

The passengers took a different way home. Can you blame them?

The pilot, still had to go back to the plane to get it back to its home airport. He put on a heavy jacket and wrapped

a blanket over his seat. He carried a fire extinguisher, a golf club and some bug spray with him and he stayed vigilant on the return flight. The snake never reappeared. Once back, the plane was totally stripped but still no cobra found.

Cape cobra venom can kill nine men with one bite.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

Mindy D — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:28:28 GMT

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

On It — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:34:02 GMT

I saw that story. That is a nightmare coming to real life. I do not believe I could have gotten back in that cockpit to return the plane to its point of origin. There is no telling where that snake may be hiding.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

bikerbabe — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:36:04 GMT

Soooooo

Who flies that plane next?🤣

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

haddon9 — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:43:56 GMT

Wow!!! What a story!!

I was wondering if he kept looking down and saw the snake under his seat, how did he get off? I would b afraid that any sudden move would make the snake attack. I wish they would have addressed that in the story.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

CANDLEQUEEN — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:45:39 GMT

Yikes, there is no way I would have gotten back on that plane to return it back.. I would be so scared, and how can you concentrate when having to be on the lookout for a cobra? Wow! Scary!

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

bikerbabe — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:45:49 GMT

@haddon9

Very slowly and carefully 👀🥴🤣

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

Mindy D — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:20:22 GMT

After his touch down and the clearing of the passengers from the plane, the pilot stood on the wing of the plane and moved the seat forward. He found the snake still there. The pilot remarked, "he was quite a big fellow."

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

Imaoldhippie — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:00:25 GMT

I would have had to change my undies!

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

Venezia — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:31:52 GMT

So which story is right? Did they find the snake or not? The two stories seem to conflict. The crew and snake handler on the ground searched for two days, but couldn't find it?

Or the pilot moved the seat forward after landing and found it? I'm confused.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

tiny 2 — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:33:41 GMT

I would retire after the heart attack.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

Kachina624 — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:39:24 GMT

@bikerbabe wrote:
Soooooo

Who flies that plane next?🤣

@bikerbabe Do you mean after it's thoroughly fumigated with something very poisonous?

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

SandySparkles — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 17:05:09 GMT

😲

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

BlueFinch — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 17:21:32 GMT

Very interesting. Good thing that Cobra was in a good mood, just enjoying his ride. This could have really gone south, if the pilot, or passengers had panicked.

He did a great job, for something you don't routinely get flight training for. Weather, health emergencies, mechanical issues, and more --- yes. Snakes? I don't think so. Although it's definitely not a first.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

Mindy D — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:25:56 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
So which story is right? Did they find the snake or not? The two stories seem to conflict. The crew and snake handler on the ground searched for two days, but couldn't find it?

Or the pilot moved the seat forward after landing and found it? I'm confused.

@Venezia @Just after landing and before the crew went in to get the snake, the pilot was outside the plane on the wing had pushed his seat. When he did this, he saw the snake but when the experts and snake handler went to look for it again...I don't know how long the time had passed since the pilot's sighting, the search team could not find the snake. The team looked for two days. No snake. After the pilot got back into the plane he flew it back to the airport where the plane is kept. The plane was researched, including shipping it, and still no snake. So far, no snake has turned up.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

bikerbabe — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:27:22 GMT

If he just ate, he may still be snoozing somewhere. Adult snakes don’t eat that often.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

Jk9 — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 19:18:19 GMT

The snake could have left the plane unless someone kept eyes on it the whole time. Hope that is what happened for all concerned.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

On It — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 19:53:28 GMT

I would have a mongoose in the co-pilot's seat just in case.

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

ECBG — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 23:13:40 GMT

I can't stand snakes. I won't even wear that print! (I don't think snake print is attractive in the least!).

Re: SNAKES really on a plane

Lucky Charm — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 23:33:10 GMT

Snakes in general don't scare me. Of course, poisonous ones or constricters would be a concern....

But, I see a tiny spider and I'd jump out of the plane.