Passengers aboard an Air Namibia flight from Ondangwa to Windhoek got a shock of their life last Friday when their small aircraft ran out of fuel. The pilot had to make a U-turn midway to Ondangwa to refuel. After refuelling the plane had to cruise at an altitude of 12000 feet above ground, instead of the usual 25000 feet. The oxygen system was also not working throughout the journey.

“It was a shocking experience,” a passenger -who is heavily pregnant- told the Economist this week.

The aircraft, a Beech 1900, started experiencing serious mechanical failure at about 30 miles from Ondangwa. Its pressurised system ceased to work, which led to a high usage of fuel.

The technical manager at Air Namibia, Allois Jonas, said such mechanical failures seldom happen.

“The pilot was quite right in his decision to return to Ondangwa for refuelling,” said Jonas.

He said the fuel would not have made it to Windhoek. After refuelling the pilot decided to fly the aircraft at a lower attitude to save fuel. Air Namibia said it has repaired the aircraft in question and the plane has since returned to its route, according to Jonas.

He said preliminary indications shows that there was something wrong with the aircraft's pressurised system.

“The plane had to fly at low altitude just to save fuel,” he said.

He said such mechanical problems do happens just as with cars. “We do not fly aircraft that are not reliable,” said Jonas.

Two week ago, a twin engine Cessna 310 crashed near Kolmanskop after it ran out of fuel. It pilot, Steven Bester, is currently hospitalised in Cape Town with a shattered spine.