Event Details
On 22 July 2021 at approximately 10:00 local time (16:00 UTC), a Cessna 152-II aircraft registered as YS 115PE performed an emergency landing in a pasture at Hacienda El Zapote, located at kilometer 68 1/2 on the road to Chalatenango, El Salvador. The aircraft was owned by Escuela de Pilotos PANAL and was being used for an instructional flight.
Narrative
During a training flight, as the aircraft was passing over the area of pueblos redondos in the Chalatenango relocation zone, the pilot experienced vibration from the engine and subsequent loss of power. The flight crew executed emergency procedures and successfully landed the aircraft in a pasture (potrero). The aircraft sustained no damage, and both pilots exited the aircraft uninjured.
Aircraft and Operator
The aircraft was a Cessna 152-II, serial number 15281315, registered in El Salvador as YS 115PE. The operator was Escuela de Pilotos PANAL, a flight school. The flight was conducted under a commercial pilot license held by a Salvadoran pilot. The activity was recorded as an instructional flight, and the phase of flight was flight instruction.
Injuries and Damage
According to the report, both pilots in the cockpit sustained no injuries. There were no passengers or injuries on the ground. The aircraft damage was classified as none to the engine area; the report specifically notes 'sin daños a la aeronave' (no damage to the aircraft). No fatalities or serious injuries were reported.
Investigation
The initial report was prepared by the Unidad de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes of the Autoridad de Aviación Civil (AAC) de El Salvador as Technical Report AAC-008/21 RI. The investigation is conducted in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and Salvadoran regulation RAC 13. The event was classified as an emergency landing due to loss of engine power.