History of Flight
On 15 September 2014, a Cessna 210 aeroplane, registration ZS-EJB, departed from Nelspruit Aerodrome (FANS) at 1710Z for a fire fighting operation. The pilot, a 68-year-old commercial pilot with 1625 total flying hours (180 on type), was acting as a spotter. After approximately 3.2 hours of flight, the engine began sputtering. The pilot, realizing fuel exhaustion, switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank, which contained fuel, but omitted to turn the fuel pump selector to the "ON" position. This resulted in fuel starvation. The aircraft was flying at about 800 feet AGL, so the pilot executed a forced landing on an open field.
Impact and Damage
During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with a hidden tree stump, causing the nose wheel to break off and the aircraft to nose over, coming to rest inverted. The aircraft sustained extensive damage to the wings, propeller, vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, and the nose wheel assembly. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment of shock but was not admitted. No pre- or post-impact fire occurred.
Investigative Findings
Examination at the accident site revealed the fuel pump selector was in the "OFF" position. The left wing contained more than 5 litres of usable avgas, but because the pump was off, fuel could not reach the engine. The aircraft placard required the fuel pump to be switched on when changing from a dry tank to a tank containing fuel. Weather conditions were fine with north-easterly winds at 10 knots, visibility fair, and temperature 30°C, and were not considered a factor.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause was an unsuccessful forced landing due to fuel starvation, with a contributory factor being the pilot omitting to switch on the fuel pump prior to changing tanks to ensure positive fuel flow.