Piper PA-30 accident near Soyapango, Sv, July 11, 2012
On July 11, 2012 at about 12:12 pm local time, a Piper PA-30, registered YS125P, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Soyapango. It was an instructional flight under non-U.S. private rules. 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2012 · about 12:12 pm local time
- Place
- Soyapango, El Salvador · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30 · all PA-30s on the register
- Registration
- YS125P · no longer on the register · serial 30-1571
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 11, 2012, at 1212 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-30, El Salvador-registered YS-125P, operated by Escuela De Pilotos Dargonza, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Soyapango, El Salvador. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight instructor and two students were fatally injured. The local training flight was originating at the time of the accident. The El Salvador investigators received reports that shortly after takeoff the pilot requested permission to return to the airport to land but did not declare an emergency. The airplane impacted a ravine 0.3 miles short of the runway threshold. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the El Salvador government. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the El Salvador government or the Autoridad de Aviacion Civil (AAC). Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Republica de El Salvador Autoridad de Aviacion Civil (AAC) Aeropuerto Internacional de Ilopango Boulevard del Ejercito, Km 9 ½ San Salvador, El Salvador
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Other authority investigated
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,265 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 10, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO - 320-C1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming IO - 320-C1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MSSS Soyapango at 12:02 pm
- Destination: MSSS Soyapango
- Flight plan: VFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,300 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 12:17 pm from MSSS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.