Zihuatanejo | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane was apparently engaged in an illegal flight, carrying a crew of two. It crashed in unknown circumstances near Champerico, Guatemala, and was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. According to the flight plan, the aircraft was supposed to fly from Zihuatanejo to Chetumal with one passenger and two crew members. Guatemalan authorities reported that the flight was illegal and that the aircraft was presumed transporting a load of cocaine.

Crash of a Learjet 60 in Zihuatanejo

Date & Time: Nov 16, 2015 at 1622 LT

Type of aircraft:

Learjet 60

Operator:

Registration:

XA-UQP

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Toluca - Zihuatanejo

MSN:

60-202

YOM:

2001

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7673

Captain / Total hours on type:

1360.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

9592

Copilot / Total hours on type:

3100

Aircraft flight hours:

3676

Circumstances:

The crew departed Toluca Airport on a positioning flight to Zihuatanejo. Following an uneventful flight, the crew was cleared for a VOR approach to runway 26. Due to the formation of clouds in the vicinity of the airport, ATC changed the clearance and instructed the crew for a VOR/DME approach to runway 08. Following an unstabilized approach, the aircraft landed on a wet runway. After touchdown, the aircraft skidded and veered off runway to the left. In a grassy area, the left main gear impacted a concrete block hosting the electrical system for the runway and was torn off. Then the aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. Both pilots evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Runway excursion due to loss of directional control of the aircraft during the landing run on an unstabilized approach.
The following contributing factors were identified:
a) Unstabilized approach,
b) Adverse atmospheric conditions in the "W" area of the airport,
c) Change of designation of runway in use for landing,
d) Lack of adherence to standard operating procedures "SOPS",
e) Lack of adherence to the concepts of "CRM" resource management in the cockpit,
f) Decreased situational awareness on the part of the commander of the aircraft,
g) Flying the approach and descent visually, following an IFR descent within IMC conditions (Instrument Meteorological Conditions),
h) Wet track,
i) Lack of crew coordination,
j) Poor judgement and incorrect decision,
k) Existence of a concrete marker with a level of 10cms protruding above the road surface in the runway safety zone.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Guadalajara

Date & Time: Sep 13, 2003

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Registration:

XA-TVX

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Guadalajara – Zihuatanejo

Location:

Guadalajara-Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

Jalisco

Country:

Mexico

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, the twin engine lost height and crashed in a cornfield. All seven occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 near Zihuatanejo: 18 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-9

Operator:

Registration:

XA-DEO

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Acapulco - Guadalajara

MSN:

47622/753

YOM:

1974

Flight number:

AM110

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Thirty-five minutes after takeoff from Acapulco-General Juan N. Álvarez Airport, while cruising at an altitude of 31,000 feet, the aircraft suffered a cabin decompression. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to reduce his altitude and to return to Acapulco for an emergency landing. Few minutes later, at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed in the Sierra of Guerro, about 65 km east of Zihuatanejo. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 18 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the cabin decompression remains unknown while the crew failed to follow emergency procedures.