Cessna 182-F Fuel Exhaustion Accident at Mossel Bay Aerodrome (ZS-CXX)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On 27 September 2023, a Cessna 182-F with registration ZS-CXX was conducting a private skydiving operation under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) from Mossel Bay Aerodrome (FAMO) in the Western Cape Province. The flight, which departed at 0715Z, was intended to drop four skydivers at Flight Level 105 (10,500 ft) before returning to the aerodrome. The pilot, a 49-year-old male holding a Private Pilot Licence, was the sole crew member. The aircraft was configured for paradrop operations, with passenger seats and doors removed and a wind deflector installed. ## Sequence of Events After an uneventful take-off and climb, the aircraft reached 10,500 ft, where the skydivers exited. During the subsequent descent, the engine began to splutter at 7,000 ft and stopped shortly after. The pilot declared an emergency to George Aerodrome (FAGG) and attempted to return to FAMO. However, the aircraft came up short of Runway 28 and made a forced landing on a private holding 980 metres north-east of the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a perimeter fence, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing strut, leading edge, and propeller blades. ## Fuel Management and Technical Findings The investigation revealed that the pilot did not refuel the aircraft prior to the flight, relying on a fuel gauge indication of 21 US gallons from the previous day's landing. Technical analysis determined that only 9.4 US gallons of usable fuel remained, which was insufficient for the planned 36-minute flight and the mandatory 30-minute VFR reserve required by SA-CATS Part 91.07.12(3). Post-accident inspections by the maintenance organisation confirmed that both wing tanks were empty and there was no evidence of internal engine damage. ## Regulatory and Personnel Factors The pilot was properly licensed and medically fit, holding a valid Class 2 medical certificate. The aircraft was airworthy with a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and no reported defects. However, the investigation noted that the aircraft's paradrop configuration lacked a required Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) as per Part 43.02.15. The primary contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's failure to account for the 30-minute fuel reserve, leading to fuel exhaustion during the flight.