What happened
On 27 July 2010, a Piper PA3-300, registration ZS-EXW, departed Louis Trichardt Aerodrome for a private flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Aerodrome. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules in clear weather. Shortly after takeoff from Runway 10, while the aircraft was climbing at approximately 300 ft above ground level, the engine RPM began to fluctuate before the engine stopped completely.
The pilot attempted to switch the fuel supply to a different tank and performed emergency restart procedures. However, the engine failed to restart. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing in an open field located north of the runway. During the impact, the aircraft's right wing struck a thorn tree and the landing gear was damaged by a stream, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger suffered serious injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the aircraft's maintenance history. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was properly maintained, airworthy, and that the engine and fuel systems showed no mechanical defects or pre-impact failures. A post-accident engine strip and ground run demonstrated that the engine performed normally.
Analysis of the fuel state revealed that the right-hand tank was full, while the left-hand tank was empty. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's previous flight history, noting a 92-minute flight the previous day. Calculations suggested that the fuel consumed during that prior flight was approximately equal to the capacity of one tank, leaving that specific tank nearly empty for the subsequent departure.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel starvation.
- The pilot had selected the left-hand main tank for takeoff, which had been depleted during the previous day's operations.
- The engine failed to restart during the emergency procedure, potentially because the fuel lines had not yet been replenished by the switch to the full tank.
- The aircraft was properly certified, equipped, and maintained according to regulations.