Overview
On the morning of 25 November 2012 at 0902Z, a pilot—the sole occupant—departed from FAGC to FATZ on an IFR flight plan with a planned cruising altitude of FL110. The takeoff and initial climb from Runway 17 were uneventful. After passing FL075, the FAGC Tower controller transferred the aircraft to Johannesburg Approach Control on frequency 124.5 MHz. Approach cleared the pilot to climb to FL110.
Flight Sequence
While climbing through approximately FL090, the left engine lost power. Oil pressure dropped and cylinder head temperature increased. The pilot advised Approach of the problem, requested to level at FL090 to troubleshoot, and requested radar vectors back to FAGC. He shut down the left engine and continued on the right engine but was unable to maintain altitude. Shortly thereafter, oil pressure and manifold pressure on the right engine also began to drop. The pilot noticed fire through the cooling vents of the right engine cowling.
Emergency and Forced Landing
The pilot asked Approach for the distance to FAGC and was informed it was 2.5 nautical miles. The aircraft continued losing height, and seconds later Approach reported the aircraft was 1 nautical mile from FAGC. Realizing the aircraft was too low to reach the runway, the pilot decided to execute a wheels-up forced landing on an open field. The aircraft touched down wings level, skidded across uneven terrain, and came to a stop 5 meters from Donovan Street.
Fire
After disembarking, the pilot attempted to extinguish the fire that had started in flight on the right engine, but was unsuccessful. The right wing and fuselage became engulfed in flames. Minutes later, the FAGC fire department arrived with two vehicles and extinguished the fire. The pilot escaped with no injuries, but the aircraft was destroyed by the fire.
Probable Cause
The official investigation found that during an inspection, the left wing’s outboard fuel tank was full while the main tank was empty. Both fuel selectors were set to the main tank positions. The left engine failed due to fuel exhaustion, leading to an unsuccessful forced landing caused by fuel starvation. The cause of the fire could not be determined.