What happened
On the morning of 3-March-2024, a pilot was operating a Kitplanes for Africa Explorer UL-600, registration ZU-MXK, on a ferry flight through South Africa. The journey began at Virginia Aerodrome in KwaZulu-Natal, with an initial plan to land at Wings Park Airfield in the Eastern Cape to refuel before continuing to George Airport in the Western Cape.
After a successful first leg, the pilot rested at Wings Park Airfield before departing for the final segment of the flight. During the flight over the Knysna region, the engine began running roughly. The pilot initially suspected a malfunction with the header tank warning light and issued a MAYDAY distress call. Shortly thereafter, the engine ceased operation entirely. The pilot identified a dirt road near Rondevlei Dam and executed a forced landing. During the landing roll, the nose wheel entered a ditch, causing the propeller to strike the ground. The pilot escaped the 0 fatalities incident without injury, though the aircraft sustained minor damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft and the flight logs to determine the sequence of events. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and had undergone a recent inspection. Examination of the aircraft following the incident revealed that the fuel tanks were empty, though no leaks were detected.
By analyzing the flight duration and fuel consumption, investigators established that the aircraft had departed Wings Park Airfield without taking on additional fuel. The first leg of the day had consumed a significant portion of the available fuel, leaving insufficient reserves for the subsequent flight to George Airport.