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Cargo Aircraft Overruns Runway at Harare Airport in Poor Weather (Z-WSB)

Harare, ZimbabweLanding (descent or approach)

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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered Z-WSB
Aircraft registered Z-WSB. Photo: Pete Macklin / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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.
Weather

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Jan 1996 Douglas DC-8 accident near Harare, Zimbabwe?

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.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 Jan 1996 Douglas DC-8 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Jan 1996 involved a Douglas DC-8, registration Z-WSB, operated by Affretair, at Harare, Zimbabwe.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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.

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