Accident Overview
On 26 April 2019, at approximately 0700Z, a Beech Aircraft Corporation Beech A35 (Veteran), registration ZU-DLW, executed a forced landing on a dirt road near Wesselsbron, Free State Province, South Africa. The aircraft had departed from Wesselsbron Aerodrome (FAWS) for a private flight to a farm 10 nautical miles south. The pilot and two passengers were assessing flood damage after heavy rainfall.
Circumstances
About 18 minutes into the flight, while overhead the farm, the engine suddenly stopped. The pilot noted no instrument indications of malfunction. She attempted to restart by activating the auxiliary fuel pump and switching the fuel tank selector from left to right, but the engine did not respond. Scanning for a suitable landing area, she selected the S91 dirt road. The landing was initially uneventful until the left wheel entered a muddy hole, causing the aircraft to veer left. The nose gear collapsed and the propeller struck the ground.
Investigation Findings
The aircraft was substantially damaged, but no injuries occurred. Post-accident inspection revealed that one propeller blade was bent toward the hub; the other was undamaged, indicating the engine was not running at impact. The fuel selector was found selected to the right tank upon recovery. The aircraft had taken off with full fuel (190 liters total). Approximately 80 liters remained in the right tank and 10 liters in the left tank. According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, total usable fuel is 166 liters (83 liters per tank), with unusable fuel of 22 liters (11 liters per tank). At a cruise fuel flow of 50 liters per hour, the aircraft consumed about 105 liters in the 2.1 hours since refueling on 24 April 2019. The left tank contained only 2.6 gallons (about 10 liters), below the unusable fuel level, when the pilot attempted to switch tanks.
The aircraft had flown 12.8 hours since its last annual inspection. Weather conditions were VFR: wind 360° at 2 knots, temperature 14°C, dew point 10°C, QNH 1022, CAVOK.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the engine stopped due to fuel starvation from a delay in changing the fuel tank selector from left to right. Contributing factors included lack of monitoring and poor flight planning.