British Airways Comair plane crash lands after wheel collapse at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport

 Warren Mann The aircraft on the runway at Tambo airport

A British Airways Comair plane made an emergency landing at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, after a failure with the landing gear.

Crew on board noticed an "unusual vibration" before the landing gear on the left hand side of the aircraft collapsed.

The plane was forced to land without landing gear as the left wing skimmed the runway, causing sparks to fly.

One passenger posted a picture online of oxygen masks hanging down from the overhead lockers after it made an emergency landing.

Warren Mann, who posted the pictures, wrote on Facebook: "My first emergency landing in my life, plane landing gear snapped, and engine on fire. "I survived."

He told Traveller24 he saw sparks flying as the left wing scraped the runway when they made the landing earlier today.

The pilot warned the 94 passengers on the flight that there had been a mechanical failure before they touched down.

Mr Mann added: "This caused the plane to hit the runway at an angle. We could see sparks as the left wing and the engines were scraped across the runway.

"The wing seemed completely broken off.

"We were met by fire and rescue operation who continued to spray the plane and we then disembarked via an emergency staircase."

Renaldo Gouws, whose friend was on the flight, posted that the engine had gone up in flames.

He wrote: "Flight from PE to Johannesburg had massive landing gear failure and engine caught fire.

"Everyone seems to be fine. They are being rescued from the plane as we speak."

The plane, flight number BA6234, was traveling from Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, to Johannesburg.

It is currently at a standstill after its main wheel collapsed underneath.

The airport is using an alternative runway while they deal with the problem, causing delays to other flights.

A spokesman for Airports Company SA, which operates nine of South Africa's airports, told News24 that passengers were facing short delays.

He said: 'OR Tambo is currently using an alternative runway to ensure flights are able to leave the airport. For safety and security reasons we will have to close that runway [where the aircraft is].'

The aircraft, which flies under BA colours, is operated by Comair - a franchise of the company.

"We can confirm that all passengers and crew safely disembarked with no reported injuries. Passengers have been taken to the terminal building where staff are currently on hand assisting them.

"The incident involving a Boeing 737-400, registration ZS-OAA experienced a failure with the landing gear shortly after touching down.

"The aircraft was on the runway for a short period performing standard landing procedures when the crew noticed an unusual vibration which was followed shortly by the collapse of the left landing gear.

"ACSA emergency services were dispatched and responded to the scene immediately and assisted passengers and crew to safely disembark.

"The aircraft is currently on runway 03R and Comair and the relevant authorities are onsite making the necessary arrangements for the removal of the aircraft.

"For reasons of safety and security, the runway has been closed.

"Comair and the relevant authorities will be conducting the necessary investigation over the coming days and weeks."