Cape cobra found during flight.

A Cape cobra is one of the most dangerous snakes, with a bite from the venomous snake being able to kill an adult in about 30 minutes, and it’s exactly this snake that was found onboard a Beechacraft Baron 58 whilst in flight.

The pilot Rudolph Erasmus, was flying to Nelspruit in South Africa with four passengers onboard when he discovered the snake. “I felt a cold sensation on my hip side and I assumed it was my water bottle but to my surprise when I started turning left and looking downwards I saw the head of a snake proceeding back underneath the seat of the aircraft.”

The pilot decided to tell his passengers of the snake as he didn’t want them to be surprised and start to panic if the snake went to the passenger area. After breaking the news to his passangers, he described the atmosphere in the aircraft as a place where “You could hear a needle drop.”

Mr Erasmus managed to land the aircraft at a nearby runway without any incident. All passengers and the pilot safely exited the aircaft. Whilst waiting for the snake handlers to arrive, the snake escaped without anyone seeing where it went, and a search for the animal was in vain. This did not stop Mr Erasmus from boarding his aircraft and continuing with his journey. His passengers opted for a rental car to complete the remaining part of the journey.