What happened
On 9 August 2014, a Cessna T210L, registration ZS-NRS, was conducting a private flight from Giyani Aerodrome in Limpopo Province to Rhino Park Aerodrome in Gauteng Province. The flight, which included the pilot and three passengers, included a brief detour for a scenic flight over the Bronkorspruit Dam.
As the aircraft was on the downwind leg for runway 09 at Rhino Park, the engine suddenly stopped. The pilot attempted to manage the emergency by focusing on forced landing procedures while instructing a passenger to attempt an engine restart. In an effort to reach the runway, the pilot executed a tight turn but ultimately overestimated the aircraft's glide capabilities. The aircraft touched down short of the runway, causing the nose wheel assembly to separate from the airframe. The plane skidded approximately 150 meters before coming to a stop in a drainage ditch near the aerodrome perimeter fence. While the pilot and one passenger escaped without injury, two passengers sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and fuel levels to determine the cause of the engine failure. The investigation established that the left-wing fuel tank was completely dry, and the right-wing tank contained only a negligible amount of fuel.
Analysis of the flight records revealed that the pilot had taken off from Giyani with 306 lbs of fuel, whereas the planned flight required 345 lbs. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot had not filed a flight plan prior to departure and had not adhered to the fuel requirements stipulated in CAR part 91.07.12. The investigation also noted that the passenger tasked with the engine restart was not type-rated for the aircraft.
Findings
- The engine stoppage was caused by fuel exhaustion.
- The pilot failed to carry sufficient fuel to complete the flight safely and meet regulatory reserves.
- The pilot overestimated the aircraft's glide performance during the emergency descent.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and propeller due to the impact forces of the landing.