Zone
Colima

Crash of an IAI-1124 Westwind near El Devanador: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 24, 2005 at 1537 LT
Type of aircraft:
IAI 1124 Westwind
Operator:
Registration:
XC-COL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Toluca - Colima
MSN:
279
YOM:
1979
Location:
El Devanador
Michoacán
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
4350
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6597
Aircraft flight hours:
8523
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Toluca Airport at 1516LT on a flight to Colima, carrying five members of the Colima Government and two pilots. Fifteen minutes into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 16,000 feet, the crew informed ATC about control problems and was cleared to divert to Morelia Airport via radial 160. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded and mountainous terrain located near El Devanador. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.
Crew:
Mario Torres, pilot,
Germán Ascencio, copilot.
Passengers:
Gustavo Vázquez Montes, Governor of the State of Colima,
Roberto Preciado Cuevas, delegate secretary for Tourism,
Ignacio Peralta, delegate secretary for Economy,
Luis Barreda Cedillo, delegate secretary for Finances,
Guillermo Díaz, Director of Tourism.
Probable cause:
Sudden descent during cruise flight and loss of control of the aircraft due to flight control problems. The following findings were identified:
- A possible failure of the horizontal stabilizer actuator,
- A possible abrupt change in the attitude of the aircraft due to the position of the centre of gravity,
- Possible improper crew actions to resolve the emergency,
- A possible crew neglect of position and indication of flight controls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Tecalitlán: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 2003 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
XB-FTA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Toluca – Colima
MSN:
402B-1049
YOM:
1976
Location:
Tecalitlán
Jalisco
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode at an altitude of 8,400 feet in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Tecalitlán. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all eight occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor over State of Jalisco due to a tropical storm with heavy rain falls and strong winds.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot decided to continue under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan in Colima

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1950 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
BHB-1517
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
3970
YOM:
1943
Location:
Colima
Colima
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown, the left main gear hit a rock and was torn off. The left wing dropped, causing the left propeller to hit the ground. The aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest. While all five occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
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