Accident Details
On the takeoff roll on runway 03L at Johannesburg-Jan Smuts Airport, the pilot-in-command initiated rotation, but the aircraft did not respond. The captain then decided to reject the takeoff and applied emergency braking. Despite the effort, the aircraft could not stop within the remaining runway distance. It overran the runway, struck a concrete block, and continued rolling for approximately 200 meters. During this excursion, the left main landing gear and engine number 1 separated from the aircraft. The aircraft eventually came to rest. All four occupants escaped without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the total weight of the aircraft was five tons above the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), and the center of gravity (CofG) was too far forward, outside the permissible envelope. Under these conditions, the aircraft was not properly configured, making a takeoff impossible.