What happened
On the afternoon of 7 January 2022, a Raven aircraft, registration ZU-DHA, departed from Dorchester Farm in Bray, North West Province, for a local sightseeing flight. The flight, conducted under visual meteorological conditions, was intended to be a short circuit returning to the same farm.
While the flight began without incident, the engine ceased operation approximately 10 minutes into the journey. The pilot attempted to restart the engine multiple times, but the failure persisted. During the descent, the pilot identified a gravel road as a potential landing site. While attempting the forced landing, the aircraft's left wing struck fence poles, causing the plane to ground loop. Although the aircraft sustained substantial damage, there were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft's maintenance history and components was conducted following the accident. Investigators reviewed the pilot's credentials and found that while the pilot held a valid medical certificate, the Private Pilot Licence had lapsed at the time of the occurrence.
Technical inspections of the engine were also performed. A post-accident inspection by an aircraft maintenance organisation identified that the fuel filter was obstructed by a silicon-like substance. This blockage prevented an adequate flow of fuel to the engine during flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel starvation resulting from a clogged fuel filter.
- The pilot was operating the aircraft with an expired pilot licence, in contravention of Civil Aviation Regulations.
- The aircraft's engine stopped in-flight due to the identified fuel delivery issue, leading to the subsequent forced landing.