What happened
On 24 May 2003, a Piper PA-28-180, registered ZS-ELL, was conducting a private flight originating from Wonderboom (FAWB). The flight was intended to be a local trip within the Groblersdal area. After departing Wonderboom at 08:26Z, the aircraft's flight duration extended significantly beyond the expected timeframe, eventually landing at 12:45Z.
During the flight, the pilot became disoriented and lost navigation. As a result of the navigational error, the aircraft's fuel reserves were completely exhausted. This necessitated an emergency forced landing in an open field in the vicinity of Moteti, near Groblersdal.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the flight and the subsequent landing. The aircraft was found to have been maintained according to all required records. Meteorological conditions at the time of the incident were reported as CAVOK with calm winds and a temperature of +11ºC. No on-site investigation was conducted at the landing site.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the pilot became lost, which led to the depletion of the aircraft's fuel.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the right-hand oleo leg upon landing, but there were no injuries to the two occupants on board.