Crash of a Douglas DC-9-14 in Mexico City

Date & Time: Jul 21, 2004 at 1933 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-BCS
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mexico City – Durango – Torreón
MSN:
47043
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
JR706
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
96300
Aircraft flight cycles:
102000
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 05L at Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft encountered windshear. It lost height and crash landed on the runway. Upon impact, the landing gear were torn off. Out of control, the aircraft veered off runway, lost its right wing and came to rest. All 56 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control upon takeoff due to windshear.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2B-27 Islander near Vallecillos: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 2004 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XC-FOE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
2031
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a geophysical survey flight in the region of Vallecillos, Durango. While cruising at an altitude of 2,000 metres, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the Sierra del Rosario. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 690C Jetprop 840 in Milpillas: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 2004 at 1750 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XC-JEH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ciudad Juárez – Mexico City
MSN:
690-11678
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On May 2, 2004, at 1600 central daylight time, a Twin Commander 840 twin turbo-prop airplane, Mexican registration XC-JEH, was destroyed following a loss of control following an encounter with weather while in cruise flight near Milpillas, State of Aguas Calientes, in the Republic of Mexico. The airline transport rated pilot, first officer and the 5 passengers on board were fatally injured. The public use flight originated from Ciudad Juarez, State of Chihuahua, approximately 1400, and was destined for the Mexico City International Airport, in Mexico City. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the domestic cross-country flight for which an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed.

Crash of a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage in Guaymas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 2003 at 1540 LT
Registration:
N9223X
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tucson – Guaymas
MSN:
46-22142
YOM:
1993
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On December 13, 2003, at approximately 1540 central standard time, a Piper PA-46 single-engine airplane, N9223X, was destroyed upon impact with a building about one mile short of the landing threshold for runway 02 at Guaymas State of Sonora, In the Republic of Mexico. The private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorogical conditions prevailed for the personal cross country trip that originated in Tuscon, Arizona, at 1340, with Guaymas as his final destination.

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

Date & Time: Oct 27, 2003 at 0808 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-ISH
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tampico - Las Potrancas
MSN:
258036
YOM:
1985
Country:
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 Lockheed C-130A Hercules near La Quemada: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 2003 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
3603
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mexicali – Santa Lucía
MSN:
3025
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Mexicali on a flight to Santa Lucía AFB. About 2 hours and 40 minutes into the flight, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in an uninhabited area located near La Quemada, about 70 km north of Zacatecas. All six occupants were killed. An in-flight fire of unknown origin is suspected.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690 in Soto la Marina: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 2003 at 1430 LT
Registration:
N302WB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Soto La Marina - Laredo
MSN:
690-11003
YOM:
1971
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On September 16, 2003, at 1430 central daylight time, an Aero Commander 690 twin-engine airplane, N302WB was destroyed upon impact with trees and terrain while attempting a takeoff from an airstrip near Soto La Marina, in the State of Tamaulipas, in the Republic of Mexico. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to the QEAT-4 LLC., in Naples, Florida, and was being operated by the MGS Corporation of Laredo, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight for which no flight plan was filed. The flight's destination was reported to be Laredo, Texas. Local authorities reported that the turboprop powered airplane, serial number 11003, had previously sustained some damage to the nose landing gear and the owner had replaced the nose landing gear prior to attempting to depart from the airstrip.

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Tecalitlán: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 2003 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-FTA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Toluca – Colima
MSN:
402B-1049
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode at an altitude of 8,400 feet in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Tecalitlán. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all eight occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor over State of Jalisco due to a tropical storm with heavy rain falls and strong winds.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot decided to continue under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Guadalajara

Date & Time: Sep 13, 2003
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-TVX
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Guadalajara – Zihuatanejo
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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 Learjet 35A in Cancún

Date & Time: Aug 14, 2003 at 2222 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N403FW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Cancún
MSN:
35-403
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
7950
Circumstances:
On August 14, 2003, about 2222 central daylight time, a Gates LearJet Corporation 35A, N403FW, registered to Aircraft Holdings LLC, operated by Air America Flight Services, Inc., was landed with the landing gear retracted at the Cancun International Airport, Cancun, Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and there were no injuries to the airline transport rated pilot and copilot, nor to the three medical personnel on board the airplane. The flight originated about 2145 eastern daylight time from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to the director of operations for the operator, the airplane was cleared for a visual approach to runway 12, and the flightcrew advised him they did read the landing checklist. The landing gear was down and locked as indicated by the three green lights; though they didn't recall if the landing gear was extended as evidenced by the landing lights. They also advised him of feeling fuselage to runway surface contact; the airplane slid approximately 4,000 feet before coming to rest upright. Following the occurrence, the nose of the airplane was raised and the nose landing gear was observed to be inside the wheel well. Emergency extension of the landing gear was initiated and the nose landing gear extended and locked; the main landing gear did not extend as fuselage to runway contact prevented extension of the main landing gears. The airplane was dragged from the runway where approximately 2 days later, a crane raised the airplane. At that time, the main landing gears which were in the wheel wells, extended and locked into position.