What happened
On the morning of 23 August 2025, a Rockwell 500S Shrike Commander, registered ZS-IZN, departed Vereeniging Airport in Gauteng for George Airport in the Western Cape. The flight was being conducted under instrument flight rules by a pilot flying with a private license, accompanied by a safety pilot.
While the initial portion of the flight was routine, the crew encountered a critical situation approximately 40 minutes before their scheduled arrival. The aircraft's low fuel warning light illuminated, signaling a critically low fuel state. Despite this alert, the crew elected to continue the flight toward George rather than diverting for a precautionary landing. During the final approach to Runway 29 at George Airport, the aircraft's dual engines ceased operation. The safety pilot took control to execute a glide, resulting in a forced landing on a private farm south of Thembalethu township. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the impact, and the pilot flying sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft and the flight history, discovering that the fuel tanks were completely empty upon inspection at the crash site. The investigation found that the fuel system was mechanically sound, with no evidence of leaks or hardware failure.
Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's refueling process. It was noted that the crew had refueled using drums in a hangar and failed to physically verify the actual fuel quantity or allow enough time for the fuel to settle in the interconnected tanks, as required by the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the pilot flying had previously conducted an instrument approach without the necessary instrument rating, violating civil aviation regulations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was fuel exhaustion, which led to the simultaneous failure of both engines.
- The crew failed to take corrective action after the low-fuel warning light activated.
- Inadequate pre-flight fuel management meant the aircraft departed with insufficient fuel to meet regulatory reserves.
- The pilot flying lacked the required instrument rating for the type of approach performed.
- The crew did not allow sufficient time for fuel to stabilize in the tanks after refueling, leading to an inaccurate assessment of available fuel.