Accident Details
On 6 December 2025, a Piper PA-32RT-300, registration YV1560, departed from Aeropuerto Internacional La Chinita in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on a local VFR flight with one pilot on board. The aircraft had been running for approximately 30 minutes during pre-flight checks before takeoff at 19:26 UTC. After performing a touch-and-go and a circuit with the landing gear extended, the pilot requested to proceed to the CANAL (OPMOP) waypoint at 20:11 UTC and was cleared to climb to flight level 040 and hold over CANAL.
At 20:25 UTC, the pilot reported a loss of power. The air traffic controller asked about intentions, and the pilot stated that he would not be able to return to the station. When asked if he saw any place to land, the pilot replied that he saw a place on the other side of the lake. This was the last communication. At 20:27 UTC, the last known position was at radial 039, 15.5 nautical miles from Maracaibo at 100 feet. Multiple calls from the controller went unanswered. The aircraft subsequently sank in Lake Maracaibo approximately 15.67 nautical miles from the airport. The pilot managed to swim to shore and was uninjured.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300, serial number 32R7980035, powered by a single Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D engine. It had a valid airworthiness certificate issued by the Venezuelan Civil Aviation Authority (INAC) and valid registration. The last maintenance check was performed on 17 November 2025 at 3,738.3 hours total time, conducted by OMAC No. 687 S&S AERO ZULIA C.A. The last fuel replenishment was in May 2025 with 400 liters; the aircraft had sufficient fuel for the planned flight, which included engine runs and a flight of about 50 minutes.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 48, held a private pilot license issued by INAC, with a single-engine land rating endorsed for Cessna 172 and Piper PA32 on 2 December 2025. He had approximately 5,773.18 total flight hours. He also held a license from the Italian Aviation Authority (ENAC). His last medical certificate was valid.
Investigation
The Junta Investigadora de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación Civil (JIAAC) initiated an investigation. Efforts to recover the aircraft were unsuccessful due to the inability to refloat it. Consequently, the causal factor of the accident could not be determined. The investigation reviewed maintenance records, fuel calculations, pilot logs, and air traffic communications. The United States, as the state of design and manufacture, was notified and assigned an accredited representative.