What happened
While performing a takeoff roll on runway 03L at Johannesburg-Jan Smuts Airport, the pilot-in-command attempted to rotate the aircraft type; however, the plane failed to respond to the control inputs. In response to this lack of responsiveness, the captain aborted the takeoff and applied emergency braking. Despite these efforts, the aircraft could not stop before the end of the runway, leading to an overrun.
During the excursion, the aircraft collided with a concrete block and rolled for approximately 200 metres. The impact caused the loss of the left main landing gear and the number one engine. Although the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair, all four occupants managed to exit the wreckage without any injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the incident revealed that the aircraft was operating significantly over its maximum allowable limits. The total weight of the plane exceeded the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) by five tons. Additionally, the center of gravity (CofG) was positioned too far forward, placing it outside of the safe operational envelope. Consequently, the aircraft was improperly configured for flight, making a successful takeoff impossible.