Event
On 20 February 2021, at approximately 08:45 local time (17:31 UTC), a Piper PA-28-140, registered in the United States as N95207, crashed in the Changallo area of Ilopango, San Salvador, El Salvador. The aircraft was returning to Ilopango International Airport after takeoff from runway 33 when it impacted rugged terrain south of the runway. The pilot reported returning to the airport for unknown reasons before the accident.
Aircraft and Occupants
The aircraft, a Piper Cherokee PA-28-140 (serial number 28-25842), was privately owned and operated. The pilot, a Salvadoran national holding a commercial pilot license, was conducting a private flight from Ilopango International Airport to Puerto Barrillas, Usulután, El Salvador. The aircraft carried the pilot and two passengers. According to initial reports, the pilot suffered fatal injuries, one passenger sustained serious injuries, and the other passenger's condition was not specified. The aircraft sustained catastrophic damage: wings, fuselage, engine, and propeller were destroyed.
Investigation
The Unidad de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes of the Civil Aviation Authority of El Salvador (AAC) is conducting the investigation in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and local regulations (RAC 13). The investigation report is designated AAC-004/21 RI. No probable cause has been determined at this stage; the reason for the return to the airport remains unknown.