On December 5, 1982, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration N3592Z) operated by Ministry of Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources was involved in an aviation accident near San Luis Potosí, Mexico in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure for unknown reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine aircraft on a screwworm spraying mission for the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture crashed after losing control at low altitude, killing all three occupants. Official findings cite engine failure of unknown origin.
Accident Details
A twin-engine aircraft was conducting a crop spraying operation on behalf of the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources (Secretaría de Agricultura y Recursos Hidráulicos). The aircraft was tasked with spraying screwworm, a pest control effort, and was flying at low altitude during the operation. On board were two pilots and one engineer. While flying at low height, the airplane went out of control and subsequently crashed. All three occupants were killed in the accident.
Investigation
Official investigators determined the probable cause of the accident to be engine failure for unknown reasons. No further details regarding the specific nature of the failure or the aircraft's identity were provided in the findings.
What happened in the 5 Dec 1982 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident near San Luis Potosí, Mexico?
A twin-engine aircraft on a screwworm spraying mission for the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture crashed after losing control at low altitude, killing all three occupants. Official findings cite engine failure of unknown origin.
Were there any fatalities in the 5 Dec 1982 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 5 Dec 1982 involved a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, registration N3592Z, operated by Ministry of Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources, at San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…