What happened
On 13 November 2010, a Piper-PA-31P-350 departed Lanseria aerodrome (FALA) for a scheduled test flight following recent maintenance. The flight, operated by Somerset Charters (PTY) Ltd, was being conducted by a pilot with a valid commercial rating, accompanied by two passengers. After climbing to approximately 7,000 feet AMSL and turning toward Hartebeслоort Dam, the aircraft experienced an electrical failure.
Shortly after, the left engine began to sputter and subsequently ceased operation, followed closely by the right engine. Faced with total power loss, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field near the Skeerpoort valley. During the descent, the pilot manually extended the landing gear and maintained a gliding speed. However, the aircraft struck rocky terrain, causing the undercarriage to collapse and resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. While the passengers escaped without injury, the pilot sustained back injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and the aircraft's recent operational history. Although the pilot reported that fuel gauges indicated more than half a tank prior to departure, post-accident inspections revealed that the tanks were nearly empty, with less than half a litre of fuel recovered. The investigation looked into several possibilities for the discrepancy, including unrecorded ground runs during maintenance, potential fuel theft or leakage while the aircraft was parked, or inaccurate fuel gauge readings.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was fuel exhaustion during flight.
- The incident was driven by fuel mismanagement by the pilot.
- The aircraft's fuel gauges were found to be inaccurate.
- The aircraft had been stationary for over three months prior to the flight, during which time the fuel level may have changed.
- Weather conditions at the time of the accident were clear and did not contribute to the event.