What happened
On the afternoon of 18 January 2025, a Cessna 150 with registration ZS-IDL was conducting a flight between Swellendam Airfield and Cape Town International Airport. After an initial leg to Swellendam, the pilot and passenger refuelled the aircraft and departed for a new destination, Oudtshoorn Airport.
During the return leg, while flying over the Riversdale area, the pilot decided to divert directly toward Cape Town International, bypassing planned intermediate stops. While cruising at 1,500 feet over Bellville, the engine began to sputter and eventually lost all power. The pilot observed that the fuel gauges indicated empty and there was no fuel flow pressure. After declaring a MAYDAY, the pilot identified a suitable landing site in a field at Stikland Hospital and successfully performed a forced landing. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the two occupants, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight logs, fuel consumption, and the pilot's flight planning. The investigation reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the Cessna 150 had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and had undergone a periodic inspection recently. The investigation also analyzed the fuel requirements for the various legs of the flight, specifically comparing the available usable fuel against the distance required for the diverted route.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine stoppage was fuel exhaustion.
- The pilot's decision to divert to Cape Town without refuelling at Swellendam or Worcester meant the aircraft lacked the necessary fuel for the extended distance.
- The investigation identified a lack of proper flight planning and inadequate fuel management as contributing factors.
- The pilot's flight plan extension to Oudtshoorn, followed by a direct diversion to Cape Town, created a fuel deficit that the aircraft's 22.5 gallons of usable fuel could not overcome.
- Weather conditions were clear and did not contribute to the incident.