What happened
On 10 July 2018, a Cessna (registration ZS-BRV) departed from Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB) on a scheduled scenic flight toward Pilanesberg Aerodrome (FAPN). The aircraft was carrying 17 passengers and two crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the left engine ignited. Despite the fire, the crew proceeded with the flight and subsequently issued a ‘MAYDAY’ call to Air Traffic Control, requesting permission to return to the departure airfield.
As the aircraft attempted a right-hand turn to return to the airport, the fire in the left engine worsened. The intense heat caused significant structural damage to the left aileron system and the rear spar of the left wing. This damage led to a rapid loss of altitude and a total loss of flight control. During the descent, the aircraft struck power lines before ultimately crashing into a factory building. The incident resulted in one fatality and 18 injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the left engine caught fire during the initial takeoff phase. A critical contributing factor was that the crew failed to secure the left engine as required by the aircraft flight manual (AFM) following the initial ignition. This failure to follow established emergency procedures allowed the fire to intensify, leading to the structural failure of the wing components and the subsequent crash.