Synopsis
On 20 February 2025, a Piper PA-23-250 aircraft, registration YS-164P, was returning from La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala to Ilopango International Airport in El Salvador. Approximately 10 miles from the Guatemala-El Salvador border, the pilot detected abnormal vibrations from the left engine section. The vibrations were initially subtle but became more prolonged and severe after entering Salvadoran airspace, accompanied by a loss of engine power and a drop in oil pressure. The pilot decided not to restart the engine and performed an emergency landing on the private airstrip at Hacienda San Clemente in Armenia, Sonsonate. The landing was uneventful, and both individuals on board were uninjured.
Pilot Information
The pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license issued in 1999 and had accumulated 11,839 total flight hours. The license was valid at the time of the accident, and the pilot held ratings for single-engine land, multi-engine land, instructor, and low-level flight. A current medical certificate was also on file. According to AAC licensing records, the pilot had no prior accident history.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-23-250, serial number 274305, manufactured in 1969. It had accumulated 4,257.6 total flight hours as of its last inspection on 6 January 2025, when its airworthiness certificate was renewed. The aircraft had been maintained under periodic inspections every 50 and 100 hours, with a relatively low utilization in recent years. The last weight and balance record was dated 8 January 2002, and ELT and pitot-static system tests were conducted on 11 January 2025 by Guatronics SA.
Damage Assessment
The left engine sustained substantial damage, including a fractured cylinder number 5, a fractured connecting rod, and a fractured piston. Internal engine components required thorough inspection. The left engine cowling was also damaged internally. Both propeller blades showed no damage. The aircraft was rendered not airworthy. No other damage to the airframe or third-party property was reported.
Emergency Landing Site
The airstrip used for the emergency landing is located at Hacienda San Clemente, in the municipality of Armenia, Sonsonate, El Salvador.