What happened
On May 8, 2000, a Beech B58, registration ZS-MBT, was conducting a private international flight from FAJS toward Harare. While cruising at 10,000 feet, the pilot heard a rumbling noise followed by a visible spark emanating from the front of the left-hand engine cowling.
Upon identifying the engine failure, the pilot attempted to feather the propeller; however, the propeller had already ceased rotation and failed to reach the feather position. As the aircraft descended to 7,500 feet, the pilot managed to maintain straight and level flight, but the propeller began windmilling intermittently about 15 minutes from the destination, causing a loss of altitude.
As the aircraft reached 5,000 feet, the pilot initiated a precautionary landing. The aircraft touched down on a service road situated between two tobacco fields. During the landing roll, the right-hand undercarriage struck a drainage furrow, causing the gear to collapse. The aircraft subsequently skidded off the road and into a shallow ditch. There were no fatalities and no injuries reported.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the left engine and the subsequent landing sequence. Following the incident, the aircraft was recovered by Speed Air, which installed a serviceable engine to fly the airframe to Nelspruit. The failed engine was transported to Harare for further examination by the Zimbabwe Civil Aviation Authorities to determine the precise nature of the internal damage.