What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-02-08 involved a Cessna U206G, registration ZS-SYW, at Farm near Matla Power Station, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine stopped in-flight due to fuel starvation, which led to the pilot performing a forced landing in an unprepared field.

Engine Failure Leads to Forced Landing During Aerial Survey

A Cessna U206G experienced total engine power loss during a power line survey near Matla Power Station, resulting in a forced landing and substantial aircraft damage.

What happened

On 8 February 2022, a Cessna U206G with registration ZS-SYW departed Kitty Hawk Aerodrome (FAKT) for an aerial survey mission. The flight, operated under Part 135 regulations, was tasked with inspecting power lines stretching from the Matla Power Station area toward O.R. Tambo International Airport. The crew, consisting of a pilot and a camera operator, initially flew at a high altitude but transitioned to a low-level survey due to cloud cover interfering with photography.

During the mission, the pilot managed fuel by alternating between the left and right tanks. While surveying a power line near the Matla Power Station, the aircraft suddenly suffered a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted an in-flight engine restart, but when the attempt failed, she executed an emergency forced landing in a private field. Although the aircraft sustained substantial damage, the pilot and camera operator escaped without injury.

The investigation

SACAA AIID examined the aircraft and its components following the incident. Post-accident inspections by an aircraft maintenance organization revealed that the left fuel tank contained only 250 milliliters of fuel, while the right tank held approximately 50 liters, including 7.5 liters of unusable fuel. Technical examinations of the engine, fuel pump, and fuel distribution system all confirmed they were in serviceable condition.

The investigation also reviewed the pilot's workload and operational procedures. It was noted that the pilot had significant total flying experience but had not previously performed this specific type of power line survey. The investigation highlighted that the intense concentration required to maintain precise altitude, speed, and direction during a survey makes it difficult to perform secondary tasks, such as switching fuel tanks or managing radio communications, at exact intervals.

Findings

The engine failure was caused by fuel starvation.
The pilot's fuel management plan was not strictly adhered to due to the high workload associated with the survey task.
The forced landing occurred in an unprepared field where overgrown grass hid holes in the terrain.
The pilot was managing multiple tasks, including monitoring the flight path, maintaining altitude, and using navigation software, which led to inconsistent fuel tank switching.