Police helicopter pilot busted making an emergency landing for KFC
A police helicopter pilot is under investigation after pictures emerged of him appearing to make an emergency landing in a busy KFC carpark so he could grab a bite to eat.
The incident took place in the city of Komani, formerly Queenstown, in the southern South African province of Eastern Cape.
According to those who witnessed the scene, including Bill Harington, the pilot landed in the carpark and switched off the rotor system before “nonchalantly” walking about 30 metres into the fast food restaurant.
The pilot was then allegedly seen waiting in line for his takeaway before paying and returning to the chopper. He is then said to have started the helicopter and, with his steaming chicken and chips resting on the passenger seat, he reportedly took off into the sky.
Residents were concerned about the legality of the pilot’s emergency landing as well as the danger posed to motorists and pedestrians milling around the busy carpark.
The unnamed pilot’s origin and destination is currently undisclosed, and local authorities have called it “an internal matter”.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo told local media the helicopter was patrolling areas in Eastern Cape, but the controversial landing is currently being investigated.
Last year police commissioner Risimati Shivuri also made headlines when he reportedly used a chopper to fly four kilometres to order a breakfast from South African fast food restaurant chain Wimpy.
Last week KFC agreed to pay a child’s university tuition after her chicken-loving parents named the baby after the fast food giant’s founder Colonel Sanders.
– Australscope
