What happened
On the morning of 6 December 2025, a pilot operating a Raptor Trike, registration ZS-WJE, departed Musina Airfield (FAMH) for Polokwane Civil Airport (FAPI) in Limpopo Province. The flight was conducted under private operations in clear visual meteorological conditions. After an initial climb to 4,500 feet, the aircraft encountered unexpected strong headwinds blowing from the southeast.
During the flight, the pilot's mobile phone, which was being used for GPS navigation, ran out of battery. Due to the difficulty of maintaining control of the aircraft against the heavy headwinds, the pilot was unable to retrieve a backup phone. Consequently, the aircraft drifted from its intended flight path. Shortly thereafter, the engine ceased operation. The pilot attempted several restarts without success and was forced to perform an emergency landing in a field covered with thorn bushes. During the landing, the nosewheel struck a ditch, causing the aircraft to flip over and sustain substantial damage. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the aircraft and the circumstances leading to the engine failure. Post-accident inspections by an approved person confirmed that the aircraft's structure remained intact, though the impact caused the main frame to bend. Crucially, the inspection of the engine revealed no mechanical defects. However, investigators found that the fuel filter and carburetor bowls were empty.
While the aircraft's standard fuel consumption is approximately 13L per hour, the manufacturer noted that strong headwinds can increase this rate to between 18L and 25L per hour. Based on an estimated burn rate of 18L per hour over a flight duration of approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, the aircraft would have consumed roughly 49L of its 50L capacity. This calculation, supported by the lack of fuel found at the site, indicated that the engine stopped because the fuel supply was depleted.