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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

■ SOUTH AFRICA: Global Aviation MD82 aborts takeoff from Joburg causing wheel fire; no casualties.

Global AviationA chartered McDonnell Douglas MD82 (MSN: 49905 | ZS-TOG) flight QG-112 operated by Global Aviation carrying 120 passengers and seven crew members aborted take-off at around 07h15 this morning at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport en route to Lilongwe, Malawi. It was later discovered that one of the tyres of the airplane had exploded on take off , causing a wheel to catch fire.


Global Aviation's MD82 "ZS-TOG" South Africa
Global Aviation's MD82 "ZS-TOG" (Ian-ssc)
Runway 03L was subsequently closed following the discovery of debris.

According to the Aviation Herald:
"The aircraft 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.
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No injuries were reported and the fire was extinguished.