What happened
On the date of the occurrence, a Piper PA-31, registration LV-JGW, was performing a repositioning flight from Laguna del Sauce International Airport (SULS) to San Fernando International Airport (SADE) in Argentina. The aircraft was carrying a crew of two pilots and four passengers.
While the aircraft was climbing through 1,500 feet toward a target altitude of 8,000 feet, the crew noticed a slight vibration accompanied by a drop in oil pressure in the number one engine. In response to the pressure loss, the crew reduced power to the engine and observed oil leaking from the left engine cowling. To prevent further damage, the crew feathered the propeller, resulting in the shutdown of the left engine. The flight crew subsequently returned the aircraft to Laguna del Sauce International Airport, where it landed without further complications.
The investigation
Following the event, the CIAIA conducted an inspection of the left engine. The investigation focused on identifying the source of the oil leak and the cause of the initial vibration and pressure drop.