SAA pilot fights for career after being blamed for turbulence incident

A 23-year veteran of South African Airways (SAA), Captain Yvette Walsh, is taking the airline to court to protect her career following a turbulence incident in October 2024. Walsh is requesting an independent investigation into the incident involving an Airbus A330-300 flight from Cape Town to OR Tambo International Airport. She claims she has not been given a fair opportunity to challenge findings that could significantly impact her career.

The incident occurred when the aircraft experienced turbulence during the flight. Walsh and the flight's captain, Craig Pearce, initially believed the aircraft's movements were due to severe weather causing "porpoising," a rapid pitching up and down. However, later reviews by Airbus and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) found that Walsh's manual control inputs contributed to the unstable flight path.

The airline's findings led to Walsh being grounded while further processes are carried out. Walsh argues that critical evidence, such as cockpit voice recordings and flight data recordings, was not preserved, leaving her unable to independently examine key evidence surrounding the incident. If the legal battle continues, Walsh's future within the company could be uncertain, as she remains on medical leave awaiting the outcome of her legal challenge.