What happened
During the initial climb phase following departure from Maputo Airport, the aircraft experienced a critical failure of the number three engine. The failure was accompanied by an explosion and an ensuing fire. During the event, fragments from the engine failure impacted the number four engine and caused structural damage to the right wing, including a puncture to a fuel tank. This secondary damage led to a significant fire spreading through the wing area.
In response to the emergency, the crew received clearance to perform an immediate return to the airport. The flight crew managed a standard approach and successfully landed the aircraft on the runway. Once the aircraft had come to a complete stop on the main runway, an emergency evacuation was conducted. All 66 occupants were evacuated from the plane without any fatalities or injuries. Due to the extensive damage caused by the fire and debris, the aircraft was declared a total loss.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure and explosion of the number three engine.
- Debris from the initial engine failure caused secondary damage to the number four engine and the right wing's fuel system.