What happened
On 22 January 2002, a private flight was underway from Pieters/burg to Bulawayo. While the pilot had reached an altitude of 7,500 feet, the aircraft's engine suddenly ceased operation. In response to the loss of power, the pilot declared an emergency and successfully executed a forced landing on the Dendron road, approximately 15km north of Pietersburg. The landing resulted in minor damage to the Cessna 180C, registered as ZS-MAF, but no injuries were reported.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and mechanical condition following the incident. Documentation indicated that the engine had only 121 hours of operation since its last complete overhaul and had flown just 23 hours since its last periodic inspection. The pilot was found to be fully qualified, holding a valid private license, a valid medical certificate, and the necessary type endorsement.
During the technical examination, investigators noted some unauthorized interference with certain aircraft components by an independent investigator. Specific mechanical discrepancies were identified, including a loose upper nut on the left-hand magneto—though the magneto timing remained correct—and loose bolts on the #2 rocker shaft that lacked washers. However, these specific findings were not determined to be contributors to the engine failure.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was the fatigue failure of a connecting rod bolt on the #4 connecting rod.