Tapachula | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The pilot, sole on board, departed Tapachula Airport on a local flight to release Mediterranean flies. A flight plan of four hours was filed, with an altitude of 9,500 feet. The flies should be released in an area corresponding to 60 - 100 NM around the Tapachula VOR. Shortly after takeoff from Tapachula Airport Runway 05, while climbing to an altitude of 1,000 feet, the pilot reported engine problems. The aircraft turned to the right then entered an uncontrolled descent until it crashed in a mango plantation. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Impact of the aircraft against the ground during a tight turn towards the side of the right engine, which showed inadequate performance.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Continuing the flight despite intermittent failures in the fuel flow of engine number 2,
- Failure to adhere to the abnormal engine failure procedure during takeoff,
- Fatigue fracture of the fuel pump shaft of engine number 2.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Comitán de Domínguez

Date & Time: Jan 19, 2021 at 0840 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 401

Operator:

Registration:

XB-NQO

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Tapachula - Tapachula

MSN:

401-0294

YOM:

1969

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, departed Tapachula Airport in the early morning. In unknown circumstances, the twin engine aircraft crashed in a prairie located near an agricultural sector in Comitán de Domínguez. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-33CF in Saltillo

Date & Time: Jan 18, 2014 at 0423 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-9

Operator:

Registration:

XA-UQM

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Managua – Tapachula – Saltillo

MSN:

47191/280

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

13447

Captain / Total hours on type:

9235.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

10736

Copilot / Total hours on type:

525

Aircraft flight hours:

57319

Aircraft flight cycles:

53457

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Managua on a cargo flight to Saltillo with an intermediate stop in Tapachula, carrying two passengers and two pilots on behalf of DHL. During a night approach to Saltillo Airport, the crew was cleared to land on runway 17. One minute later, he initiated a go-around and decided to divert to Monterrey Airport which was the alternate. Due to a poor flight preparation, the crew was unaware that Monterrey Airport was closed to traffic that night. So few minutes later, the crew returned to Saltillo and was again cleared to land on runway 17. At that time, weather conditions were marginal with a limited visibility due to fog. Following an ILS CAT I approach, the pilot-in-command descended below the MDA and continued the approach despite he did not establish any visual contact with the runway and its equipment. The aircraft landed hard to the right of the runway and on the last third of the runway. After landing, the aircraft rolled for few dozen metres, lost its nose gear and came to rest against an embankment. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Continuing the precision approach (ILS CAT 1) in conditions of reduced visibility by fog (no visual contact with the runway at an airport below minimums), which resulted in an abrupt landing and misaligned to the right on the last third of the runway, during a second landing attempt. The continuation of the landing was the lack of fuel to fly to a second alternate airport not contemplated in the operation.
Contributing factors:
1. Lack of analysis of pre-flight operational information (current NOTAMs, METAR, forecasts, fuel to second alternate airport and flight tracking).
2. Unstabilized approach.
3. Lack of application of CRM concepts.
4. Lack of adherence to procedure - operations, of providing METAR and NOTAM to the crew for the dispatch of the aircraft.
5. Lack of adherence to the procedure for flight control and tracking.
6. Lack of procedures to establish two alternate airports when the destination airport is below minimums.
7. Lack of Company supervision, operation and maintenance surveillance of aircraft flight recorders.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO in Juchitepec: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

XA-HUS

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Tapachula – Mexico City

MSN:

7388

YOM:

1942

Location:

Juchitepec

Federal District of Mexico City

Country:

Mexico

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew encountered thick fog while approaching Mexico City Airport. The airplane struck a hill located near Juchitepec, about 40 km south of Mexico City Airport, and crashed. All three crew members and five passengers were killed while ten other occupants were rescued.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-243 in Mt Iztaccíhuatl: 16 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1945 at 1600 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-2

Operator:

Registration:

XA-DOT

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Tapachula – Mexico City

MSN:

2075

YOM:

1939

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While flying over Puebla, the crew informed ATC of his position and confirmed his altitude at 15,000 feet. Few minutes later, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Iztaccíhuatl located east of the capital city. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 16 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

According to the Mexican Authorities, the aircraft was not flying on the assigned track at the time of the accident and the crew was unable to see the mountain due to the poor visibility caused by bad weather conditions.