Shy, that doesn't ring any bells I'm afraid.
Although it has been awhile since I've heard a good war/drinking story from my Dad I think it definitely involved the engine eating a lot of dust. I think he said it was the same pilot (he swears it wasn't him btw!) who became temporarily unaware of his position and wound up the Guatemalans a bit by "nearly" crossing the border if that's any kind of clue.
If the photos of the "dingy drill" I've seen are anything to go by an extra day or two in Belize doesn't seem that bad!