What happened
On 20 April 2002, a CESSNA 172E, registration ZS-OOJ, was conducting a private flight from Thabazimbi to Rustenburg. While the aircraft was approximately 12nm northwest of the Rustenburg aerodrome, the engine ceased operation.
In response to the loss of power, the pilot attempted to perform an emergency landing on a nearby mine road. However, the presence of unexpected vehicle traffic on the road prevented the pilot from using the roadway as a landing strip. Consequently, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft toward an adjacent field. During the landing sequence, the left wing struck the ground, and the aircraft subsequently collided with a tree. The impact caused extensive damage to the airframe, and the pilot sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalization.
The investigation
Investigators from the SACAA AIID examined the wreckage and the aircraft's fuel system to determine the cause of the engine failure. The inspection focused on the fuel supply components, including the fuel tanks, the gascolator, and the carburetor inlet pipe.
Findings
- The investigation established that both fuel tanks were entirely devoid of fuel, though they had not ruptured during the accident.
- The fuel filter (gascolator) was found to be empty.
- The carburetor fuel inlet pipe was disconnected and also contained no fuel.
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion.