What happened
On the evening of 15 July 2025, a Cessna 172F, registration ZS-EAD, was conducting a private flight originating from Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB) in Gauteng. The flight, which included the pilot and two passengers, was intended to be a circuit of the area, including a visit to Vereeniging Aerodrome.
While orbiting the Rosslyn industrial area at approximately 3,500 feet, the aircraft descended to 1,500 feet. During the approach to Runway 11, immediately following a radio transmission to establish traffic, the engine stopped. The pilot attempted to restart the engine using in-flight procedures but was unsuccessful. After declaring a Mayday, the pilot executed a forced landing in a bushy area on a farm located roughly 3 nautical miles northeast of FAWB. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the windscreen, right-wing leading edge, right-wing strut mount, and the right horizontal stabilizer, but all occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft and found no evidence of mechanical failure, oil leaks, or fuel contamination. The engine was able to run normally after being primed by an engineer, and compression was present in all cylinders.
However, a significant fuel imbalance was discovered: the left tank was nearly full, while the right tank was nearly empty, containing only about 2.6 gallons. The investigation noted that the pilot's previous flight experience was primarily on a Piper PA-28 Cherokee, which utilizes a different fuel selection logic. The pilot could not confirm the position of the fuel selector at the time of the failure but noted it was in an offset position when attempting to troubleshoot the engine stoppage.
Findings
- The engine stopped due to fuel starvation.
- During the orbiting phase, the low level of fuel in the right tank likely caused the fuel to move away from the gravity-fed pickup point.
- The pilot did not adhere to the aircraft's checklist requirements, which mandate that the fuel selector be set to the 'both' position.
- The pilot's recent flight experience was largely on an aircraft type with different fuel management procedures.
Safety action
Investigators identified a discrepancy in the aircraft's approved Flight Manual (AFM). The manual contains a fuel system schematic that includes an auxiliary tank, which may cause confusion as it does not explicitly state that this schematic only applies to aircraft with that specific modification. It is recommended that the operator revise the AFM to ensure the fuel management procedures accurately reflect the actual configuration of ZS-EAD.