Piper PA28 accident near Palin, Gt, February 23, 2016
On February 23, 2016 at about 6:05 pm local time, a Piper PA28, registered TGPEW, was destroyed in an accident near Palin. 1 person was killed.
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
- February 23, 2016 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- Palin, Guatemala · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 140 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- TGPEW · no longer on the register · serial 28-20766
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 23, 2016, at 1805 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA28-140, Guatemalian registration TG-PEW, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain near Palin, Guatemala. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from La Aurora Airport, Guatemala City, Guatemala nad was en route to the San José Airport, Puerto San José, Guatemala. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Guatemalan government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Guatemalan government. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil 9 Ave. 14-75 Aeropuerto Internacional La Aurora Zona 13 Guatemala, Centro América www.dgacguate.com
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during unknown defining event
Pilot
No details recorded.
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Not recorded
The flight
- Departed from: Guatemala City
- Destination: Puerto San José
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.