Engine Failure Leads to Crash, Three Injured (TG-JCS)

Incident Overview

A single-engine aircraft departed Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport at 0923 local time on a flight to El Estor. On board were 12 passengers and two pilots. Approximately 18 minutes into the flight, the crew experienced engine problems. The captain contacted air traffic control and declared an emergency. The crew reduced altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft then crashed in an open field and burst into flames.

Casualties and Injuries

Three passengers sustained serious injuries. Eleven other occupants, including both pilots, were killed.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be sudden engine failure during flight, which forced the pilot to make an emergency landing. The aircraft impacted unsuitable terrain at a descent angle. The engine power loss was caused by the fracture of more than one compressor turbine blade. The impact of the blades in the inner parts caused damage to the internal mechanism of the turbine station. The gas generator was rotating at low speed with the propeller feathered on the first impact with the ground. The high concentration of fire in the compressor section and in the combustion chamber possibly indicates that several attempts were made on the engine to cause the compressor to continue working after losing the blades.