Global Aviation MD82 at Johannesburg on Nov 13th 2012, rejected takeoff

Last Update: December 14, 2012 / 10:42:35 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Nov 13, 2012

Classification
Incident

Cause
Rejected takeoff

Departure
Johannesburg, South Africa

Destination
Llilongwe, Malawi

Aircraft Registration
ZS-TOG

Aircraft Type
McDonnell Douglas MD-82

ICAO Type Designator
MD82

A Global Aviation McDonnell Douglas MD-82, registration ZS-TOG performing charter flight QG-112 from Johannesburg (South Africa) to Llilongwe (Malawi) with 120 passengers and 7 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from runway 03L about one minute after takeoff clearance when tower reported there was smoke coming from an engine. The crew rejected takeoff and came to a stop about 2400 meters/7900 feet down the runway indicating they might be able to vacate the runway, tower however instructed the aircraft to hold position on the runway while directing emergency services towards the aircraft.

The aircraft left debris behind while slowing and was subsequently seen on the runway with the left wing low and right wing high.

The airport confirmed the MD-82 registration ZS-TOG rejected takeoff after a tyre burst, a wheel caught fire. Emergency services responded. All passengers and crew disembarked safely. The runway was closed for 5 hours as result of the occurrence.

Ground observers reported the passengers and crew disembarked via the rear tail stair of the aircraft, there had been no fire at all.

One ground observer reported he could see the left main gear intact, however, both left main wheel tyres had separated from the wheels, the wheels had been partially ground down causing the aircraft to lean to the left.

The US NTSB reported on Dec 14th 2012, that the aircraft experienced a wheel failure on the left hand main gear during acceleration for takeoff from Johannesburg. The pilot rejected takeoff and stopped the aircraft on the runway 03L. The aircraft sustained damage to the left hand main gear, the left hand main wheel assemblies, left hand engine and left hand wing. South Africa's CAA is investigating the incident, the NTSB have appointed an accredited representative to participate in the investigation as representative of the state of manufacture.

Global Aviation owns two MD-82s with the registrations ZS-TOG and ZS-GAB.