What happened
On the morning of 28 June 2021, a Cessna 182P, registration ZS-MZV, departed Hoedspruit Civil Aerodrome for Rand Aerodrome with a pilot and three passengers. The flight began after the aircraft had landed at Hoedspruit to refuel, where only 55 litres of Avgas were added to the tanks.
During the approach to Rand Aerodrome, the pilot encountered gusty wind conditions, leading to an unstable approach and a subsequent go-around. While repositioning for a second attempt on Runway 3 and flying the base leg, the engine lost power. The pilot immediately declared a Mayday and identified a clearing in a nearby swampland for an emergency landing. Upon touchdown in the dense reed area, the aircraft veered to the right, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. No injuries were reported among the four occupants.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the flight history, fuel levels, and mechanical state of the aircraft. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from Hoedspruit, which confirmed the takeoff time and refueling details. The investigation also analyzed the pilot's fuel management, noting that the fuel gauges had been providing erratic readings throughout the flight, fluctuating between quarter and full. The pilot had been switching the fuel selector between the tanks to manage the uneven consumption between the left and right tanks.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion resulting from improper fuel management practices.
- The pilot's fuel gauges were malfunctioning, providing unreliable indications of the remaining fuel.
- The pilot had replenished only a small amount of fuel (55 litres) prior to the flight, which was insufficient for the planned mission parameters.
- The aircraft's engine power ceased after the pilot attempted to troubleshoot the fuel system by cycling the selector lever.