What happened
On May 28, 2020, a Piper PA-31-350, registration LV-LMS, was conducting a general aviation ferry flight between Villa Rumipal and Las Pirpintas. While the aircraft was in the cruise phase of flight, the pilot experienced a sudden drop in oil pressure in the number one (left) engine.
In response to the mechanical failure, the pilot shut down the affected engine and initiated an emergency landing procedure. The aircraft successfully reached the Añatuya Aerodrome in the province of Santiago del Estero. The landing was completed without further complications, as the number two (right) engine remained fully operational throughout the descent and touchdown.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the left engine's oil system. Authorities examined the aircraft's condition following the incident and reviewed the operational circumstances surrounding the flight. The investigation noted that the aircraft sustained minor damage during the event. Due to the nature of the incident and the findings regarding the aircraft's state post-landing, the national authority determined that the event did not present significant lessons for the improvement of national operational safety and subsequently moved to archive the case.
Findings
- The primary cause of the emergency was a drop in oil pressure within the left engine.
- The pilot successfully managed the engine failure by shutting down the malfunctioning engine and maintaining control with the remaining engine.
- There were no fatalities or serious injuries, though one person sustained minor injuries during the event.