Piper PA-23-250 accident near Guatemala City, Gt, May 14, 2009
On May 14, 2009 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-23-250, registered TGALD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Guatemala City. It was flown under rules the NTSB did not record. 6 people were killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Government of the Republic of Guatemala. Further information may be obtained from: Republica de Guatemala Direccion General de Aviacion Civil (DGAC) Aeropuerto Internacional "La Aurora" Zona 13 Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala Centro America This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by, or obtained from the Government of the Republic of Guatemala.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2009 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 6 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-250 · all PA-23-250s on the register
- Registration
- TGALD · no longer on the register · serial 27-3844
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A twin-engine Piper Aztec, Guatemalan registration TG-ALD, was destroyed shortly after takeoff from the La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City, Guatemala. The pilot and 5 passengers were fatally injured. An instrument flight plan was filed and the aircraft's intended destination was Belize. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Government of the Republic of Guatemala. Further information may be obtained from: Republica de Guatemala Direccion General de Aviacion Civil (DGAC) Aeropuerto Internacional "La Aurora" Zona 13 Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala Centro America This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by, or obtained from the Government of the Republic of Guatemala.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.