Crash of an Embraer ERJ-190AR in Durango

Date & Time: Jul 31, 2018 at 1523 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-GAL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Durango – Mexico City
MSN:
190-00173
YOM:
2008
Flight number:
AM2431
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
98
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3700
Captain / Total hours on type:
1064.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1973
Copilot / Total hours on type:
460
Aircraft flight hours:
27257
Aircraft flight cycles:
18200
Circumstances:
The takeoff from Durango-Guadalupe Victoria Airport was initiated in poor weather conditions as a thunderstorm just passed over the airport five minutes prior to the accident. The takeoff from runway 03 was completed with a wind from 047° at 33 knots. Eight seconds after liftoff, the aircraft climbed to a height of 8 feet with a speed of 145 knots. At this time, the wind came from 103° at 11 knots. The aircraft continued to climb to 30 feet when the wind changed with a tailwind component of 22 knots from 030°. The aircraft started to descend and impacted ground, causing both engines to be torn off. The aircraft continued, overran and slid for 380 metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All 103 occupants were evacuated and 39 were injured, 14 seriously. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and strong winds. Notable variations in wind components were noticed at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
Impact against the runway caused by loss of control of the aircraft in the final phase of the take-off run by low altitude windshear that caused a loss of speed and lift. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Decrease in situational awareness of the flight crew when the commander was performing unauthorized instructional tasks without being qualified to provide flight instruction and to assign copilot and Pilot Flying duties to a an uncertified and unlicensed pilot,
- Failure to detect variations in the indicator displayed by the airspeed indicator on the PFD during the take-off run,
- Lack of adherence to sterile cabin procedures and operational procedures (TVC; Changes of runway and/or take off conditions after door closings; Take off in adverse windshear conditions) established in the Flight Operations Manual, the Dispatch Manual and the Standard Operating Procedures,
- Lack of adherence to published procedure,
- Lack of adherence to Aerodrome and meteorological information procedures,
- Lack of supervision on part of Tower personnel at Durango Airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-322 in Mexico City

Date & Time: Nov 26, 2015 at 1828 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-UNM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cancún – Mexico City
MSN:
24248/1636
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
GMT779
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
139
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12945
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7606
Aircraft flight hours:
64171
Aircraft flight cycles:
39245
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Cancún on a regular schedule flight to Mexico City, carrying 139 passengers and five crew members. The flight was uneventful. Following an unstabilized approach, the aircraft landed on runway 05L at an excessive speed. After touchdown, severe vibrations occurred when the left main gear collapsed after a course of 1,097 metres. The airplane slid for 980 metres before coming to rest. All 144 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Fracture of the shimmy damper piston and subsequent retraction of the left leg assembly of the landing gear due to vibrations caused during the landing run, which could not be damped due to wear and play existing between the dynamic parts of the links, fittings and apex joint of the shimmy damper.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Unstabilized approach,
- Inadequate service to shimmy damper and shock strut,
- Landing with a low rate of descent,
- Wear in the Apex joint due to a play between this and the lower torsion link,
- Landing with high ground speed and low descent rate.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 300 Super King Air in Zacatecas: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 2013 at 1221 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XC-LMV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Zacatecas - Mexico City
MSN:
FA-83
YOM:
1986
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
8400
Aircraft flight hours:
7146
Aircraft flight cycles:
5756
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Zacatecas Airport Runway 20, while in initial climb, the crew informed ATC about technical problems with the left engine and attempted to return to land on runway 02. Eventually, the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a soft and dry terrain located southeast of the airport, bursting into flames, about one minute after takeoff. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all six occupants were killed, among them two agents of the Federal Police and one employee of the Public Minister.
Probable cause:
Precautionary landing due to probable loss of left engine power, in soft and dry terrain, bogging down the legs of the main landing gear resulting in destruction of the aircraft. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Lack of application of CRM concepts,
- Lack of adherence to standard operating procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 695 Jetprop Commander 980 in El Refugio: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 2012 at 2100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XC-PFB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cabo San Lucas – Mexico City
MSN:
695-95018
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the twin engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in El Refugio, some 50 km west of Guadalajara, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed. The aircraft was completing a flight from Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos) to Mexico City on behalf of the Federal Secretary's for Public Security. The aircraft was also registered PF-507.

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Carrasqueño: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 2011
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-LWA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Guadalajara – Mexico City
MSN:
411-0275
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Guadalajara-Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Airport, the crew informed ATC about technical problems and elected to make an emergency landing. While approaching a pasture, the twin engine airplane collided with a powerline and crashed, bursting into flames. Both pilots and two cows in the field were killed, and all four passengers were seriously injured (burns). Three days later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.

Crash of an Airbus A300B4-203F in Monterrey: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 13, 2010 at 2319 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-TUE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mexico City - Monterrey - Los Angeles
MSN:
78
YOM:
1979
Flight number:
TNO302
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
16754
Captain / Total hours on type:
5446.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3114
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1994
Aircraft flight hours:
55170
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport on a cargo service to Los Angeles with an intermediate stop in Monterrey, carrying five crew members. On final approach to Monterrey-General Mariano Escobedo Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with CB's and sky broken at 600 feet. On short final, while at a distance of 2 km from the runway threshold, the crew was cleared to land on runway 11. Shortly later, the aircraft rolled to the left then crashed on a motorway located 700 metres short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all five crew members were killed as well as one people in a car.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a loss of control following an unstable approach.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Lack of crew coordination and crew resources management (CRM),
- Diminished situational awareness,
- Failure to follow proper operational procedures,
- Unstabilized non-precision approach,
- Unsuitable aircraft configuration,
- Adverse weather condition.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 45 in Mexico City: 16 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 2008 at 1846 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XC-VMC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Luis Potosí – Mexico City
MSN:
45-028
YOM:
1999
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
11809
Copilot / Total hours on type:
57
Aircraft flight hours:
2486
Aircraft flight cycles:
2215
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from San Luis Potosí, the crew was cleared to the MATEO VOR and for an ILS/DME approach to runway 05R at Mexico-Benito Juarez Intl Airport, then was instructed by ATC to increase their speed to 220 knots. The Learjet was trailing a Boeing 767-300 (Mexicana Flight 1692 from Buenos Aires), which was instructed to decrease speed to 160 knots to maintain separation with a preceding Airbus A318. At 18:41 a further instruction was given to slow down to an indicated airspeed of 150 knots. At 18:42 the Boeing 767 crossed MATEO VOR at a ground speed of 224 knots. The Learjet was following at 8 nautical miles (NM) at a ground speed of 272 knots. At 18:44 the controller instructed Mexicana Flight 1692 to slow down to the minimum approach speed. At that time, the Learjet 45 was crossing the MATEO VOR with a ground speed of 262 knots, approximately 5.7 NM behind. The controller then instructed the Learjet crew to reduce their airspeed to 180 knots. This was acknowledged but it took 16 seconds for the crew to take action. Separation between the Boeing 767 and Learjet had decreased to 3.8 NM and the Learjet entered the wake turbulence of the 767. Control was lost and the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent, crashing on the Monte Pelvoux and Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca Avenues. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 9 occupants were killed as well as 7 people on the ground. Some buildings were damaged, about 20 cars were destroyed and 40 people on the ground were injured, some seriously. Among the passengers were:
Juan Camilo Mouriño Terrazo, Interior Minister,
José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos, General Attorney,
Miguel Monterrubio Cubas, Director for Social Communication.
Probable cause:
Loss of control at low altitude and subsequent impact of the aircraft with the ground after it encountered wake turbulence caused by a preceding aircraft.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Lack of adequate crew training on Learjet 45,
- Delay of the crew to reduce the approach speed,
- Lack of Air Traffic Control to correct the excessive approach speed of the aircraft,
- Fatigue accumulated by ATC,
- Grant of flight capacity, administrative problems and probable corruption,
- Insufficient monitoring of the aircraft operator to provide maintenance and operation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 40 in Mexico City

Date & Time: Jul 5, 2006 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-UCS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
León – Mexico City
MSN:
282-6
YOM:
1964
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a hard landing on runway 05 at Mexico City-Benito Juárez Airport, the tyre on the left main gear burst. The fuel tank was punctured by debris and a fire erupted. The aircraft was stopped on the main runway and while both pilots escaped uninjured, the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 40R in Villahermosa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 2004 at 0650 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-TFD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mexico City – Villahermosa
MSN:
265-13
YOM:
1960
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On approach to Villahermosa-Capitán Carlos Rovirosa Pérez Airport runway 26, the crew encountered poor visibility due to low clouds. As he was unable to locate the runway, the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, while on a second attempt to land, the crew descended below the MDA until the aircraft impacted the ground and crashed near a wooded area located 3 km short of runway, bursting into flames. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended below the MDA in poor visibility until the aircraft impacted terrain.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-14 in Mexico City

Date & Time: Jul 21, 2004 at 1933 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-BCS
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mexico City – Durango – Torreón
MSN:
47043
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
JR706
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
96300
Aircraft flight cycles:
102000
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 05L at Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft encountered windshear. It lost height and crash landed on the runway. Upon impact, the landing gear were torn off. Out of control, the aircraft veered off runway, lost its right wing and came to rest. All 56 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control upon takeoff due to windshear.