A Rovos Rail Tours Convair CV-340 in MAC Martin's Air Charter colours, registration ZS-BRV performing a test flight from Pretoria Wonderboom to Pilanesberg (South Africa) with 4 crew and 15 passengers, was climbing out of Wonderboom's runway 29 when ground observers observed smoke from the left hand engine, the aircraft appeared to not climb anymore, estimated height was about 300 feet. The aircraft appeared to maneouver to join a right downwind and turn for final when it lost height, impacted and broke through an industrial building and came to rest about 5.7km/3.1nm east of the airport at position S25.6711 E28.2838. About 20 people on the aircraft and on the ground received injuries, the flight engineer received critical injuries and subsequently died, three other people - reportedly including the pilots - received serious injuries. The aircraft received substantial damage beyond repair, the industrial building was basically split into two halves. On Jul 11th 2018 one of the ground victims passed away, too.

Emergency services reported 4 occupants were trapped inside the aircraft and needed to be freed, all 4 including the pilots received critical injuries. They were flown to a hospital in Johannesburg.

The aircraft was being prepared to depart for Europe to join a display in Lelystad (Netherlands) on Jul 23rd 2018.

The Aviodrome Lelystad reported three of their museum staff were on board of the aircraft, they are all okay with minor injuries only. The aircraft had been donated to the Aviodrome by Rovos Rail and had been restored into flying condition in the colours of Martin's Air Charter, which later became Martinair. The cost for the restoration into airworthy condition and for the repaint of 350,000 Euros had been spent by the Aviodrome. The aircraft was anticipated to join the display at the Aviodrome on Jul 23rd 2018 and was intended to be kept in airworthy condition by the museum staff. Rovos Rail had used the aircraft for luxus air safaris in combination with train journeys until 2009. The aircraft was subsequently offered for sale. In March 2018 the owners decided to donate the aircraft to the Aviodrome as the owners wanted to ensure a good future for the aircraft. The aircraft was to begin the journey to Europe on Jul 12th 2018, but suffered an accident during a test flight on Jul 10th 2018.

Close friends of the flight engineer confirmed the flight engineer passed away as result of the accident. The flight engineer had been working for both Rovos Rail and South African Airways. The aircraft, although certified for a two man operation, was crewed with two pilots and two flight engineers in preparation for the trip to Europe.

Listeners on frequency reported the crew joined a right hand downwind for runway 29. While on the downwind ATC offered runway 24 for landing, the crew however opted for the longer runway 29.

On Jul 11th 2018 South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) reported, that the aircraft belonged to Rovos Rail Tours, the aircraft was departing Wonderboom with the intended destination Pilanesberg. The aircraft carried 3 crew and 16 passengers, 14 South Africans, 3 Dutch and 2 Australians. There were a number of serious injuries on scene, one fatal injury was confirmed on the accident scene. In addition three people on the ground were injured, one of them passed away in the morning of Jul 11th 2018. The aircraft held a certificate of Airworthiness due to expire on August 15th 2018. A team of investigators has been assigned to investigate the accident, a preliminary report is due within 30 days, the investigation however can taken 12 months of more.

Although being a test flight members of the restoration team had been invited to join the flight as appreciation for their work.

Qantas (Australia) told Australian media that their pilot community is in shock over the accident. Two of their most experienced pilots, one of them retired the other current, with over 37,000 hours of flying experience combined (including A380 captaincy) were operating the aircraft.

Based on a video from another aircraft showing the accident aircraft during the last 90 seconds of flight it appears the aircraft lost substantial height while turning base towards the south and was already just above tree/house roof level while heading south over the road towards the south making it impossible to turn further onto final.

On Aug 11th 2018 South Africa's CAA released their preliminary report stating that a camera had been installed in the cockpit (GOPRO). The cockpit was occupied by the captain, a first officer and the Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) conducting the final checks for the flight to the Netherlands, all three had also participated in the ferry flight of another CVLP to Australia two years earlier.

Pilanesberg Aerodrome was closed for fixed wing aircraft due to runway maintenance. A related NOTAM was unknown to crew and staff at Wonderboom airport, who accepted the flight plan and issued takeoff clearance.

At about 50 KIAS in the takeoff run the captain commented the manifold pressure was low. After rotation and becoming airborne, one of the passengers - the assistant to the LAME - went to the cockpit and told the crew the left hand engine was on fire. The aircraft continued to climb at about 600-700 fpm until reaching about 800 feet AGL, then began to lose height. The aircraft continued with the left engine fire, the engine fire checklist was never executed and the crew never attempted to extinguish the fire, the engine fire extinguishing system was never activated. The left engine RPM was fluctuating, the engine fire master caution activated and an audible alarm sounded. The control wheel was deflected to the right, the captain commented the ailerons had been lost and requested the first officer to apply rudder. The GOPRO also revealed that the crew was not sure whether they had retracted their landing gear. In addition, crew and LAME were asking each other which engine was on fire although they had been told by the LAME's assistant. At no time the pilots or LAME discussed or attempted the fire drill for the left hand engine, which would have included feathering the propeller, pull the T-Handle to off to shut off all fluids, close the heat source valves, close the cowl doors, place the fuel shut off valve to CLOSED, turn off the fuel boost pump, operate the appropriate fire switch and if needed operate the alternative fire switch. The aircraft lost height, contacted a number of wires parallel to Sakabuka Street just north of the industrial complex, the aircraft impacted, two vehicles and the industrial complex.

Ground witnesses observed and collected melted metal debris, that fell off the aircraft while it remained airborne.

The SACAA reported the inflight left engine fire consumed parts of the left wing structure, the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces, the post impact fire damaged the right main gear and engine. In addition the power lines, the two vehicles and the industrial complex sustained damage.

The SACAA wrote: "Initial on-site investigation identified that the fire was most intense in the left engine. Soot, glazing and heat signatures were evident on a number of electrical, air, oil and hydraulic supply lines. An external fire had developed in the lower left region of the left engine nacelle. Airframe fire damage was found on the aircraft’s left wing rear spar and the exhaust area. The right engine fire was post-impact and was observed after the crash."

Last moments of flight and impact aftermath from cabin (Video: unknown):