What happened
On 5 September 2024, a Piper PA-32RT-300T aircraft, registration ZS-NSX, was conducting a private flight from Postmasburg Aerodrome to Chief David Stuurman Aerodrome. After completing an outbound leg, the pilot elected to proceed directly on a return flight without refueling at the destination.
As the aircraft entered the controlled airspace for Chief David Stuur and Stuurman Aerodrome, the engine experienced a brief surge before losing power entirely. The pilot identified a suitable landing site on a public road within the Algoa Park residential area, choosing this location to avoid heavy traffic on nearby national and regional highways. Due to space constraints and the presence of streetlights and uneven terrain, the pilot performed a wheels-up landing. The aircraft struck the ground, skidded approximately 115 metres, and collided with two trees and a steel streetlight pole, which ultimately severed the aircraft's empennage. Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft, the pilot and two passengers disembarked without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's fuel levels and maintenance records. Post-accident inspections by an engineer revealed that both fuel tanks were completely empty. The investigation also looked into the pilot's pre-flight procedures and the aircraft's overnight parking conditions. While the pilot suspected potential fuel theft because the aircraft had been parked outside a hangar overnight, CCTV footage was unavailable to verify this claim. Records confirmed that the aircraft had been refueled with 237 litres of Avgas 100LL the previous day.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion.
- The pilot performed an inadequate pre-flight inspection, specifically omitting a check of the fuel levels in the tanks.
- There was a failure to adhere to regulatory requirements regarding fuel reserves and flight planning.
- The decision to skip refueling at Postmasburg Aerodrome left insufficient fuel for the return leg.
- The pilot relied on estimated fuel endurance rather than verifying actual quantities.
- The aircraft was subjected to potential fuel theft risks due to being parked outside the hangar.