If a plane crashes and the media doesn’t cover it, did it even happen?
In May 2019, social media users were confused when photos and videos of a plane on one of South Africa’s national highways began doing the rounds online.
Some speculated that the plane had crashed or was forced to make an emergency landing.
“How did a plane crash in Limpopo Polokwane and it’s not even breaking news?” one Facebook user wanted to know.
They posted a photo of traffic at a standstill with the aircraft in the middle of a major road intersection in Polokwane, a city in Limpopo province.
AFP Fact Check found nothing unusual about the story. The plane was simply being transported to its planned destination in Hoedspruit, a town in Limpopo.
If you take a closer look at the picture, you can see the words “Aerohotel Hoedspruit Limpopo” on the body of the aircraft. This is the company that is converting the retired Boeing 737-200 into a boutique hotel.
The company’s official Facebook page shows the plane was prepped for its journey some time ago, its wings temporarily removed for transport.
On 5 May 2019, the aircraft was “dressed and pressed” and “ready to roll” from Kempton Park in Gauteng province. Further updates were provided along the way.
Here you can see the plane making its way past Boksburg:
The plane was spotted in Polokwane on 16 May and arrived in Hoedspruit the next day. According to Aerotel’s Facebook page, the plane is now being put back together.
Aerotel spokesperson Tracy Den Dunnen told AFP Fact Check the plane spotted in Polokwane was not a publicity stunt, nor was it intended to lead people to believe the plane had crashed.
“We didn’t really publicise the whole event,” she said, although the company did brand the fuselage - the main body of the aircraft – “for the exposure”. - Africa Check
In May 2019, social media users were confused when photos and videos of a plane on one of South Africa’s national highways began doing the rounds online.
Some speculated that the plane had crashed or was forced to make an emergency landing.
“How did a plane crash in Limpopo Polokwane and it’s not even breaking news?” one Facebook user wanted to know.
They posted a photo of traffic at a standstill with the aircraft in the middle of a major road intersection in Polokwane, a city in Limpopo province.
Plane on its way to Hoedspruit, Limpopo
AFP Fact Check found nothing unusual about the story. The plane was simply being transported to its planned destination in Hoedspruit, a town in Limpopo.
If you take a closer look at the picture, you can see the words “Aerohotel Hoedspruit Limpopo” on the body of the aircraft. This is the company that is converting the retired Boeing 737-200 into a boutique hotel.
The company’s official Facebook page shows the plane was prepped for its journey some time ago, its wings temporarily removed for transport.
On 5 May 2019, the aircraft was “dressed and pressed” and “ready to roll” from Kempton Park in Gauteng province. Further updates were provided along the way.
Here you can see the plane making its way past Boksburg:
The plane was spotted in Polokwane on 16 May and arrived in Hoedspruit the next day. According to Aerotel’s Facebook page, the plane is now being put back together.
Aerotel spokesperson Tracy Den Dunnen told AFP Fact Check the plane spotted in Polokwane was not a publicity stunt, nor was it intended to lead people to believe the plane had crashed.
“We didn’t really publicise the whole event,” she said, although the company did brand the fuselage - the main body of the aircraft – “for the exposure”. - Africa Check
For publishers: what to do if your post is rated false
A fact-checker has rated your Facebook or Instagram post as “false”, “altered”, “partly false” or “missing context”. This could have serious consequences. What do you do?
Click on our guide for the steps you should follow.
Publishers guideAfrica Check teams up with Facebook
Africa Check is a partner in Meta's third-party fact-checking programme to help stop the spread of false information on social media.
The content we rate as “false” will be downgraded on Facebook and Instagram. This means fewer people will see it.
You can also help identify false information on Facebook. This guide explains how.
Further Reading
ESA ALEXANDER / POOL / AFP
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