Piper PA-31-310 Navajo crash, Apr 27, 2014, Deán Funes
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident on April 27, 2014 near Deán Funes, Córdoba, Argentina with no fatalities. Cause: JST: Failure of the left engine in...
- Date: April 27, 2014
- Aircraft: Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
- Location: Deán Funes, Córdoba, Argentina
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: JST: Failure of the left engine in cruise due to a fuel injection system fault on cylinder 3, inadequate aircraft and engine maintenance with injection system bulletins not applied, impossibility to increase power due to high cylinder temperature, and a late decision to attempt an emergency landing at dusk.
A twin engine Piper PA31 Navajo flying from Termas de Rio Hondo to Rio Cuarto with seven people on board lost its left engine about 45 minutes into the flight at 6,500 feet. The pilot was diverted toward Deán Funes but attempted an emergency landing on National Route 60 at km 835. The aircraft left the road, lost its nose gear and came to rest in bushes, injuring the pilot and one passenger while five others escaped unhurt. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair, and the Argentine investigation linked the engine failure to the fuel injection system and inadequate maintenance.