Incident Overview
On June 7, 2025, at approximately 07:20 local time (13:20 UTC), a Piper PA-28 Warrior, registration YS-446P, operated by the CEA flight school, experienced a serious incident while conducting touch-and-go landing practice on runway 15 at Ilopango International Airport. The aircraft had started its engine at 06:28 and was on a training flight with an instructor and a student pilot.
After landing, the pilot reduced speed to about 10 knots and attempted to exit the runway by turning left onto taxiway D2. During this turn, the right main landing gear fractured, causing the aircraft to skid slightly on the runway surface. The aircraft had an estimated fuel endurance of three hours at the time of the incident.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28 Warrior, model PA-28-161, serial number 28-7716217. Its airworthiness certificate was valid from November 15, 2024, to November 15, 2025, in the normal category. The last weight and balance check was performed in 2021 and remained within manufacturer limits.
The instructor held a valid commercial pilot license with ratings for single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument instructor, and a current medical certificate. His total flight time on the PA-28 was 218 hours. The student also held a valid commercial pilot license with single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument ratings, and a current medical certificate, with 191 total flight hours, including 42 on the PA-28. Neither had a record of previous accidents or incidents.
Damage and Injuries
The fracture of the right main landing gear also damaged the adjacent access panels and skin. The lower fuselage near the landing gear area showed dents and scratches, and one access panel was fractured. Damage was classified as minor. No injuries were sustained by the two occupants (the instructor and student). No damage to third parties or the runway was reported.
Maintenance Findings
Review of maintenance records revealed discrepancies in the tracking of inspections. The aircraft had undergone 100-hour inspections without having accumulated 100 flight hours since the previous such inspection. Similarly, 50-hour inspections were performed when 100 hours had been accumulated. These discrepancies were noted in both the airframe and engine logbooks. The engine was a Lycoming O-320-D3G (serial L-14200-39).
Investigation Results
The investigation identified contributing operational safety factors related to the process of applying Service Bulletins to the aircraft and the quality control system. Meteorological conditions were not considered a contributing factor. The investigation did not assign a single probable cause.