No fatalities

2015-11-21: Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (C6-TAK) — Three T’s Auto Sale — Guatemala City-La Aurora, Guatemala

Guatemala City-La Aurora, GuatemalaTakeoff (climb)

On November 21, 2015, a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (registration C6-TAK) operated by Three T’s Auto Sale was involved in an aviation accident near Guatemala City-La Aurora, Guatemala during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft stalled at low height after takeoff due to a poor crew coordination about flight controls. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781192656Data APIEditorial standards

A training flight departing Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport crashed shortly after takeoff from runway 02. The aircraft entered a right turn, lost height, and came to rest near an industrial building. Both pilots escaped uninjured.

Accident Overview

A training flight conducted from Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport ended in a crash shortly after departure. The aircraft was engaged in a local training flight and took off from runway 02. During the initial climb, the aircraft entered a right turn and subsequently lost height, impacting an area near an industrial building located approximately 900 metres from the threshold of runway 20.

Sequence of Events

The flight departed under routine conditions for a local training mission. After becoming airborne from runway 02, the crew initiated a climb. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft began a right turn. While in the turn, the aircraft lost altitude and descended, ultimately crashing close to an industrial building situated about 900 metres from the opposite runway's threshold. The impact forces and a post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft.

Crew and Injuries

Both pilots on board were able to escape the aircraft without injury. There were no other occupants reported on the aircraft.

Aircraft Damage

The aircraft was destroyed by the impact forces and the subsequent fire that engulfed the wreckage.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was an aerodynamic stall at low height after takeoff, resulting from poor crew coordination regarding flight controls.