Monterrey

The twin engine aircraft departed Monterrey-General Mariano Escobido Airport at 1200LT on a flight to La Paz, Baja California Sur with one passenger and two pilots on board. While climbing in clouds, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Fraile. The wreckage was found at the end of the afternoon. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed, among them Nabor García Aguirre, Baja California Sur State Government Finance Secretary.
Crew:
Jaime Emilio Real Cosío, pilot,
Armando Ávila Ochoa, copilot.
Passenger:
Nabor García Aguirre.

The airplane collided with the ground during a low altitude, steep banked, base-to-final left turn toward the landing runway during a circling instrument approach. The airplane impacted terrain 1/3-mile from the approach end of runway 28, and north of its extended centerline. A witness, located in the airport's administration building, made the following statement regarding his observations: "I saw the aircraft in and out of the clouds in a close base for [runway] 28. I then saw the aircraft emerge from a cloud in a base to final turn [and] it appeared to be approximately 300-400 feet above the ground. The left wing was down nearly 90 degrees. The aircraft appeared north of the [runway 28] centerline. The aircraft pitched nose down approximately 30-40 degrees and appeared to do a 1/2 cartwheel on the ground before exploding." ATC controllers had cleared the airplane to perform a GPS-A (circling) approach. The published weather minimums for category C and D airplanes at the 5,900-foot mean sea level airport was 3 miles visibility, and the minimum descent altitude was 8,200 feet mean sea level (msl). Airport weather observers noted that when the accident occurred, the visibility was between 1 1/2 and 5 miles. Scattered clouds existed at 1,200 feet above ground level (7,100 feet msl), a broken ceiling existed at 1,500 feet agl (7,400 feet msl) and an overcast condition existed at 2,400 feet agl (8,300 feet msl). During the approach, the first officer acknowledged to the controller that he had received the airport's weather. The airplane overflew the airport in a southerly direction, turned east, and entered a left downwind pattern toward runway 28. A 20- to 30-knot gusty surface wind existed from 220 degrees, and the pilot inadequately compensated for the wind during his base leg-to-final approach turning maneuver. The airplane was equipped with Digital Electronic Engine Controls (DEEC) that recorded specific data bits relating to, for example, engine speed, power lever position and time. During the last 4 seconds of recorded data (flight), both of the power levers were positioned from a mid range point to apply takeoff power, and the engines responded accordingly. No evidence was found of any preimpact mechanical malfunction. The operator's flight training program emphasized that during approaches consideration of wind drift is essential, and a circling approach should not be attempted in marginal conditions.

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Saltillo to Monterrey, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot was able to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in an open field located near Pesqueria. Both occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The twin engine airplane was completing a special flight from Monterrey to Tijuana on behalf of the General Attorney of the Republic of Mexico. On final approach to Tijuana-General Abelardo L. Rodriguez Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a power pole (14 feet high) and crashed in flames about two miles short of runway threshold, on US territory. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited to a half of mile due to low ceiling and fog.

On the last leg of the trip NSE742 that originated from Bogotá, the crew started the descent when he encountered stormy weather (heavy rain falls, low clouds and turbulences). While approaching from the east, the airplane struck a rocky peak and crashed near Caño La Raya, some 55 km east of Apiay AFB. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 35 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Maj Eduardo Antonio Lozano,
Lt Tirso Hernando Martinez, copilot,
Aux Lupo Cieves.

Following an uneventful flight from Mexico City, the crew started the descent to Monterrey-General Mariano Escobido Airport. In a visibility reduced by heavy rain falls, the crew initiated a turn to the left to intercept the glide. After passing over the Monterrey VOR, the aircraft descended with a rate of 1,500 feet per minute when, at a speed of 250 knots, it struck the slope of Cerro del Fraile located some 23 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 79 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 1,800 meters few hours later.

The airplane left Monterrey Airport at 0700LT bound for Falcon, Tamaulipas. About ten minutes later, while climbing, the airplane hit the slope of a mountain and crashed into a deep ravine, about 30 km northeast of the airport. All 21 occupants have been killed. Passengers included leading Mexican journalists and entertainers who were on their way to a meeting between President Eisenhower and President Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez of Mexico, taking part to the ceremonies marking the inauguration of the Falcon Dam at the border between USA and Mexico.

While approaching March AFB, flying over the Tehachapi Mountain Range, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with high winds, sleet, snow, rain and icing. The pilot informed ground about his situation and requested rescue teams to stand by. Shortly later, the captain instructed the occupant to bail out when the airplane crashed into a hillside located near Pidgeon Pass, some 12 km north of March AFB and three km northeast of Riverside. Two passengers were found alive while four other occupants were killed in the crash.
Crew:
Lt Raymond M. Sumi, pilot, †
Lt Benjamin G. Holloway, copilot, †
Sgt Gerald D. Wilcox, †
Pvt Leonard E. Riley, †
Sgt Cecil Purvis,
Pvt Frank Carroll.

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Monterrey and was destroyed by fire. Occupant fate unknown.