What happened
On 26 May 2022, a Piper PA-24-250, registration ZS-CSL, was conducting a private flight between Krugersdorp Aerodrome and Newcastle Aerodrome. After completing the first leg of the journey, the pilot attempted the return flight to Krugersdorp. While flying over the Johannesburg South general flying area, the pilot reported that the engine began running roughly.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, the pilot performed troubleshooting maneuvers, switching between the main and auxiliary fuel tanks. While the engine briefly stabilized using the auxiliary tanks, the aircraft's power eventually failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing at Panorama Airfield. During the final approach to Runway 20, the engine stopped completely, causing a rapid loss of altitude. The aircraft's main landing gear struck a barbed wire perimeter fence, causing the plane to spin 180 degrees and impact a road embankment. The three occupants sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and fuel systems. The investigation revealed that the aircraft had been experiencing a fuel leak from the right-side auxiliary tank since mid-March 2022. This leak had not been properly recorded in the flight folio or logbook, which constitutes a regulatory non-compliance.
Technicians discovered a loose coupling on the fuel line connected to the right-side tip tank pipeline, which had not been adequately tightened following previous maintenance. Additionally, investigators found foreign debris within the fuel strainer valve, which may have further restricted fuel flow. While the aircraft had sufficient fuel for the planned flight duration, the ongoing leak led to the eventual depletion of the necessary fuel supply.