Zone
Tamaulipas

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Tampico

Date & Time: Jun 2, 2017 at 2245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA227 Metro III
Operator:
Registration:
XA-UAJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saltillo – Puebla
MSN:
AC-586
YOM:
1984
Location:
Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina
Tamaulipas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3280
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1144
Aircraft flight hours:
35318
Aircraft flight cycles:
43028
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Saltillo Airport on a night cargo flight to Puebla, carrying two pilots and a load of 550 kilos of various goods. En route, the crew declared an emergency and reported a low fuel condition before being cleared to divert to Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport. On final approach, both engines stopped and the aircraft descended into trees and crashed in a wooded area located 850 metres short of runway 31. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Emergency landing due to an inadequate pre-flight of the aircraft which resulted in the loss of power of both engines during the cruise flight due to exhaustion of fuel on board.
Contributing factors:
- Lack of adherence to flight planning procedures.
- Lack of coordination between captain and operations officer during pre-flight preparation.
- Lack of supervision of dispatcher activities.
Final Report:

Crash of a BAe 125-800A in Las Potrancas: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 2003 at 0808 LT
Type of aircraft:
BAe 125
Operator:
Registration:
XA-ISH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tampico - Las Potrancas
MSN:
258036
YOM:
1985
Location:
Las Potrancas (Aldama)
Tamaulipas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
5717
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport on a positioning flight to Las Potrancas Aerodrome located near Aldama, Tamaulipas. On approach to runway 02, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with low clouds. As the aircraft was not properly aligned, the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure and to make a left turn. At low height (about 800 feet), the aircraft struck a hill located to the left of the aerodrome and crashed. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach below MDA under VFR mode in IMC conditions until the aircraft impacted terrain at an altitude of 800 feet. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Poor crew resources management,
- The crew continued the approach in unfavorable weather conditions with low clouds,
- Approach to an airport without radio assistance support,
- The crew suffered a loss of situational awareness,
- Poor flight planning.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 24D in Tampico: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1998 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 24
Operator:
Aerodinamo del Pacifico
Registration:
XA-RRK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Houston - Tampico
MSN:
24-307
YOM:
1975
Location:
Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina
Tamaulipas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
10911
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5761
Aircraft flight hours:
8095
Circumstances:
On approach to Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport, the crew established on the ILS. The aircraft descended below the glide and MDA until it struck the ground and crashed in a lagoon located 12,8 km short of runway. A pilot and two passengers were killed while five other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The decision of the crew to continue the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions (foggy conditions), allowing the aircraft to descend below the minimum descent altitude until impact with the ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-15 in Tampico

Date & Time: May 14, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
XA-SNR
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Orlando – Cancún
MSN:
45699
YOM:
1965
Flight number:
LL401
Location:
Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina
Tamaulipas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
43
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Orlando to Cancún, the crew got lost and was unable to follow the prescribed route, causing the aircraft to deviate from the flight plan to the west. Eventually, the crew was vectored to the Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport located about 1,144 km northwest of the destination airport. On final approach, both engines failed simultaneously due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft lost speed, stalled and collided with ILS equipment located about 300 metres short of runway 31. Upon impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the aircraft crash landed on the runway and came to rest 220 metres further. All 47 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Tampico: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1979 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
South Central Aviation
Registration:
N48RM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Belize City – Tampico – McAllen
MSN:
2282
YOM:
1942
Location:
Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina
Tamaulipas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a cargo flight from Belize City to McAllen, Texas, with an intermediate stop in Tampico, carrying two pilots and a load of cigarettes. On final approach, it crashed in unknown circumstances and was destroyed by a post crash fire. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 off New Orleans: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1979 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Oklahoma Aircraft
Registration:
N4178B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
South Bimini – Tampico
MSN:
520-85
YOM:
1953
Location:
New Orleans
Louisiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
664
Captain / Total hours on type:
12.00
Circumstances:
En route from South Bimini to Tampico, Mexico, the airplane suffered a double engine failure. The pilot ditched the aircraft off New Orleans. Seriously injured, he was rescued but apparently died a week later.
Probable cause:
As the airplane was not recovered, it was not possible to establish the cause of the accident. Illegal flight suspected.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in McAllen

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1978 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
PCD Corporation
Registration:
N807P
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
McAllen - Tampico
MSN:
BA-557
YOM:
1960
Location:
McAllen
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16660
Captain / Total hours on type:
2060.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at McAllen-Miller Airport, one of the engine failed. The pilot abandoned the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, struck a drainage ditch and came to rest. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Mexico City: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1978 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
XB-ABG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Tampico – Mexico City – Martinez de la Torre
Location:
Mexico City-Benito Juarez
Federal District of Mexico City
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was performing an executive flight from Tampico to Martinez de la Torre, Veracruz, with an intermediate stop in Mexico City. On final approach, one of the engine apparently failed. The airplane lost height, struck antennas and the roofs of several houses before crashing in flames in the district of Jardín Balbuena, about 3 km short of runway 05. One of the occupant survived while five others were killed.
Crew:
Jorge Azcárraga, pilot,
Mario Vértiz, copilot.
Passengers:
Mario Bairón,
J. Haele,
Enrique Silva,
Javier Ortiz.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL near Soto la Marina: 26 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
XA-SAE
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Reynosa - Tampico
MSN:
20554
YOM:
1944
Location:
Soto la Marina
Tamaulipas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located west of Soto la Marina. The wreckage was found few hours later in the El Diablo canyon. All 26 occupants have been killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar near Ciudad Valles: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
XB-ZEH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tampico - Mexico City
Location:
Ciudad Valles
San Luis Potosí
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft, owned by the Mexican businessman and sports executive Jorge Pasquel, was performing a flight from a private ranch in the region of Tampico to Mexico City. While cruising by night, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of the Cerro El Sabino located near Ciudad Valles. The wreckage was found a day later and all six occupants have been killed. There were on board two pilots, two technicians, Mr. Jorge Pasquel and his personal barber.
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