Crash of a BAe 125-1A in Laredo

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1981 at 1745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XA-ESQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monterrey - Laredo
MSN:
25028
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6042
Captain / Total hours on type:
533.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Laredo Airport on a flight from Monterrey, the airplane stalled and crash landed. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Several witnesses stated that the pilot appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 in Chihuahua: 32 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1981 at 1628 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-DEN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monterrey – Chihuahua – Hermosillo – Tijuana
MSN:
47621
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
AM230
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
60
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Circumstances:
On approach to Chihuahua-General Roberto Fierro Villalobos Airport, the crew encountered bad weather conditions with heavy rain falls, thunderstorms and strong winds. On short final, just prior to flare, the airplane was caught by downdrafts and struck the runway surface. It bounced then veered off runway to the right. The airplane rolled for few dozen meters then came to rest in flames, broken in two. 34 occupants were injured while 32 others were killed, among them two crew members. At the time of the accident, there was thunderstorms in the approach path with heavy rain falls and wind gusting to 54 knots.
Probable cause:
Loss of control just prior to flare after being caught by downdrafts and turbulences.

Crash of a BAe 125-700A in Monterrey: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-KEW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Reynosa - Monterrey
MSN:
257096
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a charter flight from Reynosa to Monterrey, carrying four passengers and a crew of two. On final approach by night, the pilots failed to realize their altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees and crashed 6,5 km short of runway. The wreckage was found 10 hours later. Both pilots and two passengers were killed. Two other passengers were seriously injured, among them the Peruvian actress Patricia Aspíllaga. Her husband, the Mexican businessman Arturo Ornelas, did not survive.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the flight properly and failed to follow the approach checklist. Following a wrong altimeter setting, the airplane descending too low on final until it struck trees and crashed. The lack of visibility caused by night was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Monterrey: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XB-IQY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LW-113
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Monterrey-General Mariano Escobido Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed about 3 km north of the airfield. One occupant was seriously injured while three others were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of an engine failure for undermined reasons.

Crash of a BAe 125-400A in Cancún: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1980 at 2315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-CUZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cancún - Monterrey
MSN:
25279
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Following a night takeoff at Cancún Airport, the airplane descended into trees and crashed in a wooded area, about one km from the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed. The crew was engaged in a positioning flight to Monterrey.

Crash of a Learjet 24D in Mexico City: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-JOY
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Monterrey – Mexico City
MSN:
24-263
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On approach to Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport, the airplane struck a hill and crashed few km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-15 near Puerto Vallarta: 27 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1973 at 2247 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-SOC
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Houston - Monterrey - Puerto Vallarta - Mexico City
MSN:
47100/153
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
AM229
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
The crew started the descent to Puerto Vallarta-Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Airport in limited visibility due to the night. Too low, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Las Minas located 32 km short of runway 04. The aircraft was destroyed and all 27 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing 727-64 in Monterrey: 79 killed

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1969 at 0842 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-SEL
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Mexico City - Monterrey
MSN:
19256/355
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
MX704
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
72
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
79
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who initiated a turn to the left instead to the right as mentioned in the published procedures. At the time of the accident, the aircraft speed was too high, which was considered as a contributing factor.