Cessna A150L forced landing following fuel exhaustion

Casualties unknown • Semi-prepared field, 3 nautical miles south of FAGM, ZA

A private flight in Mpumalanga ended in a forced landing after a Cessna A150L ran out of fuel while approaching Rand Airport.

What happened

On 14 October 2021, a Cessna A150L, registration ZS-IOP, was engaged in a private flight involving multiple stops. The aircraft departed from Skukuza Airport, traveling via Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, with the final destination being Rand Airport in Gauteng. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules during daylight hours, and no flight plan had been filed.

While the return leg from Skukuza was initially uneventful, the pilot noticed a drop in engine performance when approximately 2 nautical miles from Rand Airport. Realizing the fuel levels were critically low, the pilot executed a forced landing in a semi-prepared field located roughly 3 nautical miles south-east of Rand Airport. There were no injuries to the two occupants, and the aircraft sustained no damage during the landing.

The investigation

An investigation into the incident examined the fuel planning and the aircraft's mechanical state. The pilot, a commercial pilot and flight instructor, had prepared for the flight by performing a pre-flight inspection and obtaining a weather report. However, records indicated that the aircraft departed with 21 USG of fuel, providing an estimated endurance of 3 hours.

Technical analysis revealed that the total fuel required for the planned flight was approximately 22.94 USG, which included the mandatory 30-minute reserve required for VFR operations. After accounting for unusable fuel, the actual usable fuel available was only 19.44 USG. Upon inspection of the aircraft following the landing, engineers found that both fuel tanks were completely empty. Subsequent testing of the fuel gauges showed that the left-side system was calibrated correctly, while the right-side system was within acceptable manufacturer tolerances.

Findings

  • The aircraft experienced fuel exhaustion, leading to a loss of engine power.
  • The pilot failed to adhere to the planning criteria for aeroplanes under CAR Part 91.07.02, which requires a minimum of 30 minutes of reserve fuel for VFR flights.
  • The actual fuel required for the flight (24.59 USG) exceeded the available usable fuel (19.44 USG).
  • The pilot did not comply with the fuel and oil requirements specified in the Civil Aviation Regulations.

Probable cause

The aircraft ran out of fuel, resulting in loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing, caused by inadequate flight planning and failure to follow regulatory fuel reserve requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2021-10-14 Cessna A150L accident near Semi-prepared field, 3 nautical miles south of FAGM, ZA?

A private flight in Mpumalanga ended in a forced landing after a Cessna A150L ran out of fuel while approaching Rand Airport.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2021-10-14 involved a Cessna A150L, registration ZS-IOP, at Semi-prepared field, 3 nautical miles south of FAGM, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft ran out of fuel, resulting in loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing, caused by inadequate flight planning and failure to follow regulatory fuel reserve requirements.

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