Incident Overview
On an approach to Mwanza Airport, an aircraft carrying four crew members—two pilots and two engineers—encountered a significant landing incident. The flight had originated from Entebbe, Uganda, destined for Mwanza, Tanzania, to uplift a cargo of fish fillet bound for Ostend, Belgium. The commander reported that the flight from Entebbe was normal except for a #1 generator warning light that illuminated 10 minutes after takeoff. The generator was switched off, and the flight continued under IFR at FL250.
Approach and Landing
Shortly before landing, the commander obtained weather information from Mwanza Tower, reporting calm winds. The controller observed the aircraft swaying from side to side during the approach to runway 12. Upon touchdown, a loud bang was heard, and one engine separated from the aircraft, rolling down the runway while on fire.
Examination of Ground Marks
An examination of impact and tire marks revealed that the right wing tip struck the runway first, followed by the #4 engine. The right main landing gear then contacted the grass surface off the left edge of the runway, followed by the left main landing gear. The aircraft continued rolling in a direction almost parallel to the runway centerline for 250 meters before crossing the runway at an angle. Tire marks indicated that upon reaching the runway, the aircraft made a 180-degree turn to point in the opposite direction while sliding sideways under its own momentum. During this maneuver, the main landing gear collapsed, and three wing pylons sheared, causing the engines to separate. The aircraft, registration EL-WVD, finally came to rest at the edge of the runway, pointing 310 degrees, with the right wing projecting 2.5 meters inside the runway boundary.
Aftermath
Fuel leakage was observed, but no fire occurred. The four crew members disembarked with minor injuries.