What happened
On 9 July 2022, a private flight departing from Empangeni Airfield (FAEM) in KwaZulu-Natal resulted in an aircraft accident. The flight, involving a pilot and one passenger, was a planned scenic tour intended to fly along the coast near Richards Bay before returning to the departure airfield. The aircraft, a Windlass Aquilla with registration ZU-CJB, was operating under visual meteorological conditions.
During the flight, the pilot encountered unexpectedly strong winds. While the pilot had intended to fly a 40-minute route with a half-full fuel tank, the heavy headwind significantly reduced the aircraft's ground speed. As the aircraft reached approximately 34 nautical miles from its origin, the fuel level dropped to a critical point. Shortly after the pilot decided to divert to Richards Bay Aerodrome for refueling, the engine ceased operation.
Unable to restart the engine, the pilot identified an open field for an emergency landing. In an attempt to reduce speed for the touchdown, the pilot intentionally induced a stall at 600 feet. During the descent, the aircraft's right undercarriage struck a fence and the left wing made contact with a tree, causing the aircraft to crash. The impact was severe enough to snap the rear seat belt, causing the passenger to be thrown forward. Both occupants sustained serious injuries and required hospitalization.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the flight. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's fuel tank contained very little remaining fuel at the time of the crash, and evidence of a vacuum in the fuel line was noted.
Meteorological data from the South African Weather Service corroborated the pilot's account of significant headwinds, measuring winds at approximately 18 to 22 knots. This environmental factor increased the aircraft's fuel consumption rate and lowered its ground speed, directly impacting the planned flight endurance. Furthermore, investigators noted that the pilot had not filed a flight plan or checked the weather forecast prior to departure.