Piper PA-A-38-112 Accident in Jujuy, Argentina (LV-MZX)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On May 2, 2021, at 15:00 UTC, a Piper PA-A-38-112 with registration LV-MZX was involved in an accident in the rural area of El Carmen, Jujuy, Argentina. The aircraft, owned by a private individual and operated for general aviation recreation, had departed from Puerta de Avalos aerodrome at 14:45 UTC. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, during the cruise phase, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power that prevented it from maintaining its flight path. ## Emergency Response and Investigation The pilot attempted to restore power by engaging the electric fuel pump, applying maximum power, and adjusting the mixture, but these actions were unsuccessful. As the aircraft continued to lose altitude, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing in an unplanned, plowed field near El Carmen. During the landing roll, the aircraft yawed and overturned, coming to rest inverted. The accident was reported to authorities 30 minutes after it occurred. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the investigation was conducted remotely, relying on the pilot's testimony and photographs provided by individuals in the area. ## Damage and Environmental Conditions The aircraft sustained significant damage to the upper cabin, left wingtip, vertical tail, and landing gear. The engine stopped abruptly, and one of the propeller blades was damaged. The accident occurred during the day in good weather conditions. Meteorological data at the time indicated calm winds, 10 kilometers of visibility, no significant phenomena, 3/8 cirrostratus clouds at 6,000 meters, a temperature of 23.2°C, a dew point of 14.1°C, a sea-level pressure of 1,015.6 hPa, and 57% relative humidity. ## Personnel and Safety Actions The aircraft was crewed by a commercial airplane pilot and carried one passenger. No fatalities, serious, or minor injuries were reported among the crew or passengers. The investigation was conducted by the National Directorate for the Investigation of Aeronautical Occurrences (DNISAE) under the Transport Safety Board (JST) of Argentina. The report notes that the investigation was strictly technical and did not assign blame or responsibility. The JST recommended operational safety actions to mitigate risks and prevent future accidents, although specific recommendations are not detailed in the provided source.