On November 18, 1988, a Swearingen SA226 Metro II (registration ZS-LKG) operated by Magnum Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Johannesburg-Oliver Reginald Tambo (Jan Smuts), South Africa during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the left engine shortly after takeoff for unknown reasons. 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.
After left engine failure on takeoff from Johannesburg-Jan Smuts Airport, crew attempted return but performed belly landing in a nearby field. All 12 occupants evacuated uninjured; aircraft destroyed.
Incident Overview
Shortly after departing Johannesburg-Jan Smuts Airport, the flight crew declared an emergency following the failure of the left engine. The pilots elected to return to the airport, but were unable to reach the runway and instead executed a belly landing in a field adjacent to the airport.
Occupant Status
All 12 persons aboard the aircraft evacuated without injury. No injuries were reported among the occupants.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the belly landing and was subsequently assessed as damaged beyond economical repair.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the accident was caused by the failure of the left engine shortly after takeoff for unknown reasons.
