On January 28, 1996, a Douglas DC-8 (registration Z-WSB) operated by Affretair was involved in an aviation accident near Harare, Zimbabwe during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Poor weather conditions with heavy rainfall, limited visibility, wet runway with reduced braking action, aquaplaning, unserviceable reverse thrust on engines 2 and 4, spoilers not armed, aircraft not airworthy, and crew failure to follow the approach… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A cargo flight from Johannesburg overran runway 05 at Harare Airport after landing in heavy rain. The aircraft lost its nose gear and was damaged beyond repair; all five crew escaped uninjured.
Accident
A cargo aircraft conducting a flight from Johannesburg experienced a runway overrun upon landing at Harare International Airport. The approach and landing were performed under poor weather conditions with heavy rainfall. After touching down on runway 05, which has a length of 4,750 metres, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran the runway, resulting in the loss of its nose gear before coming to rest. All five crew members on board evacuated without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economical repair.
Findings
The official investigation reported the following findings:
Poor weather conditions with heavy rainfall were present.
Visibility was limited.
The runway surface was wet, reducing braking action.
The aircraft experienced aquaplaning.
The reverse thrust systems on engines number 2 and 4 were unserviceable.
The crew completed the landing without arming the spoilers.
The aircraft was not in an airworthy condition.
The crew failed to follow the approach checklist.
Probable cause
Poor weather conditions with heavy rainfall, limited visibility, wet runway with reduced braking action, aquaplaning, unserviceable reverse thrust on engines 2 and 4, spoilers not armed, aircraft not airworthy, and crew failure to follow the approach checklist.
