What happened
On the morning of 6 June 2001, a Cessna 152, registration ZS-JYU, was conducting a private flight from Beaufort West toward Kroonstad. After an initial leg from Stellenbosch, the aircraft was refueled at Beaufort West with 17.2 US gallons of fuel.
As the flight progressed, the pilot noted that the fuel gauges were reading just below one-quarter capacity while flying over Bloemfontein. Approximately 20 nautical miles from the intended destination, the fuel gauges dropped to roughly one-eighth capacity, at which point the engine ceased operation. While attempting an emergency landing on a gravel road near a farm in the Hennenable area, the pilot encountered an unexpected vehicle entering the road. This forced the pilot to touch down further down the road than originally planned, resulting in the aircraft striking a concrete wall at a farm's main gate.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight logs and fuel management procedures used during the trip. The inquiry established that the aircraft had been refueled to capacity at Beaufort West. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's calculations regarding fuel endurance, which had been based on a consumption rate of 5.8 US gallons per hour as specified in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion.
- The pilot had miscalculated the actual fuel consumption required for the flight leg.
- The severity of the impact was exacerbated by the presence of a vehicle on the gravel road, which disrupted the pilot's planned forced landing trajectory.
- The crash resulted in two serious injuries, though there were no fatalities.