UPDATE: Zim plane safely landed in Harare (video)
“We thought it was thunder at first,” a Birchleigh resident shared
20.53pm:
ZimLive tweeted that the plane safely landed in Harare
Flight UM303 just landed in Harare. We have asked @FlyAirZimbabwe for comment on what's being claimed. What we do know is that this particular plane, Z-WPF, a Boeing 767, first took off from OR Tambo in Joburg and then made a curious turnaround before taking original flight path pic.twitter.com/aJgKs5l3lC
— ZimLive (@zimlive) April 28, 2019
Original story:
The left engine of an Air Zimbabwe aircraft departing from OR Tambo International Airport shortly after 7pm on Sunday night spewed fire shortly after take-off.
Social media were set on fire as Kemptonians who heard the loud noises were trying to find out what happened. The noise could be heard as far as Norkem Park.
Some described the noise sounding like thunder, while others said it was more like a shooting.
Zimbabwe airliner, Boeing 767, engine on fire. Flight returning to OR Tambo international airport. pic.twitter.com/jWhcr1AnJx
— Cliff - That's All (@PigSpotter) April 28, 2019
Residents shared on social media how they heard loud bangs and saw what looked like flames or sparks coming from the aircraft’s left engine.
“We even heard it in Norkem Park,” Madeleen Botha wrote on Facebook.
“We’re in Birchleigh and thought it was thunder at first, it was so weird,” said Karen Brink.
Shortly after the noise stopped, smoke could be smelled over Glen Marais. The plane apparently returned safely to OR Tambo International Airport.
Other reports indicated the plane was on its way to Zimbabwe after the incident but this could not be confirmed.
This is a developing story.
PASSENGER AIRCRAFT ENGINE ON FIRE OVER JHB AIRSPACE : JHB. GP. RETURNING TO OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES ON STANDBY.
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) April 28, 2019
