Mexicali | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On short final to Mexicali Airport, the aircraft encountered windshear and lost height. The undercarriage struck the ground short of runway threshold and were torn off. The aircraft landed on its belly and slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest on the runway. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Loss of control on short final due to windshear.

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 60 in Mexicali

Date & Time: Jul 28, 2004 at 1330 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Sabreliner 60

Operator:

Registration:

XC-PFN

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Government

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Tijuana – Mexicali

MSN:

306-111

YOM:

1976

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight from Tijuana, the aircraft landed too far down the runway 28 at Mexicali-General Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada Airport. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran, rolled for about 750 metres, collided with an embankment and came to rest in a sandy area. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The aircraft had the dual registration XC-PFN (civil) and PF-213 (military).

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules near La Quemada: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 2003 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

3603

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Mexicali – Santa Lucía

MSN:

3025

YOM:

1957

Location:

Country:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The four engine aircraft departed Mexicali on a flight to Santa Lucía AFB. About 2 hours and 40 minutes into the flight, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in an uninhabited area located near La Quemada, about 70 km north of Zacatecas. All six occupants were killed. An in-flight fire of unknown origin is suspected.

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest in Mexicali: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1987 at 1815 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 441 Conquest

Operator:

United States Government

Registration:

N2484B

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

San Diego - Palm Springs

MSN:

441-0112

YOM:

1979

Location:

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Captain / Total flying hours:

8000

Aircraft flight hours:

1461

Circumstances:

A Cessna 441 operated by the US Customs Services collided with terrain while on an authorized night tactical flight. The copilot did not meet the currency standards as required by USCS and was not qualified in the aircraft. The flight originated during the daylight hours and continued to astronomical twilight. The pilots did not dark adapt previous to the night conditions. Dark adaption was impeded by flight through various light conditions created by terrain and ambient light levels. With night vision impeded the pilot would not have been able to distinguish relief of the terrain. The acft collided with a small ridge that abruptly rose 300 feet. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) terrain condition - uphill
2. (c) altitude - misjudged - pilot in command
3. (f) excessive workload (task overload) - pilot in command
4. (f) light condition - night
5. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
6. (f) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot in command
7. (f) visual/aural detection - pilot in command
8. (f) visual lookout - inadequate - copilot/second pilot
9. (f) visual/aural detection - copilot/second pilot
10. (f) lack of recent instrument time - copilot/second pilot
11. (f) inadequate transition/upgrade training - copilot/second pilot
12. (f) in-flight planning/decision - inadequate - pilot in command
13. (f) crew/group coordination - inadequate - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Bahía Kino: 26 killed

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1959 at 0639 LT

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

XA-MIS

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Mexicali – Guaymas

MSN:

22586

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Mexicali to Guaymas, the airplane exploded in mid air, dove into the ground and crashed in a desert area located in Bahía Kino. All 26 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the explosion could not be determined with certainty.