Crash of a Beechcraft 300 Super King Air in Ensenada: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 2000 at 0245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 300 Super King Air
Operator:
Registration:
XC-AA72
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Hermosillo – Ensenada
MSN:
FA-87
YOM:
1986
Location:
Ensenada
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
8260
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1529
Aircraft flight hours:
3125
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Hermosillo Airport at 0121LT on a flight to Ensenada, carrying one passenger and two pilots. On approach by night, the crew initiated a last turn to join the runway 11 approach path when the aircraft struck the slope of mountain and crashed about 14 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain while completing a turn on final approach, in night conditions, towards an airport of daytime operations only, as mentioned in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).
Final Report:

Crash of a BAe 3201 Jetstream 32EP near Chulum Juárez: 19 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 2000 at 1950 LT
Type of aircraft:
BAe Jetstream 31
Operator:
Registration:
N912FJ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tuxtla Gutiérrez – Villahermosa – Veracruz – Mérida
MSN:
912
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
QA7831
Location:
Chulum Juárez
Chiapas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Captain / Total flying hours:
5300
Captain / Total hours on type:
1100.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
667
Copilot / Total hours on type:
40
Aircraft flight hours:
12041
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport on a regular schedule flight to Mérida with intermediate stops in Villahermosa and Veracruz, carrying 17 passengers and two pilots. En route to Villahermosa-Carlos Rovirosa Pérez Airport, at an altitude of 16,000 feet and about 50 miles from the destination, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and deviated from the V3 Airway to the right for about 24 km. After he initiated the descent, the crew was instructed by ATC to report 25 DME. Shortly later, while descending in clouds, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Chulum Juárez, about 80 km southeast of Villahermosa Airport. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 1,890 metres. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 19 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain. Combining instrument flight (IFR), with visual flight (VFR), the crew lost situational awareness, deviating 29.8 miles to the right of the Victor 3 airway due to bad weather, when the weather conditions imposed the application of the instrument flight rules (IFR), causing collision of the aircraft with the mountain at 6200 feet of elevation without loss of control (CFIT).
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Severe weather conditions en route,
- Persistence of the pilot in command, to continue the instrument flight (IFR) on visual flight (VFR),
- Inconsistency in cockpit resource management (CRM),
- Loss of situational awareness of the flight crew and the controllers, due to numerous deviations from the route, due to severe weather conditions and poor communication between the parties.
- inadequate preparation of the flight plan, since in view of the very probable need to circumnavigate severe meteorological conditions, the flight altitudes that would continue outside of the controlled airspace (outside the v-3 airway) were not verified.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-DK in Mexico City

Date & Time: Feb 3, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mexico City - Mexico City
Location:
Mexico City-Benito Juarez
Federal District of Mexico City
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport on a local post maintenance test flight. After takeoff, while in initial climb, both engines lost power simultaneously. The crew attempted an emergency landing on a soccer field when the aircraft crash landed near a motorway. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Guadalajara: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2000 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Registration:
XC-AA91
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Guadalajara - Uruapan
MSN:
404-0451
YOM:
1979
Location:
Guadalajara-Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
Jalisco
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Guadalajara-Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Airport on a flight to Uruapan, carrying three engineers and two pilots. Shortly after takeoff from runway 28, while in initial climb, the aircraft lost height and crashed. All five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Monterrey: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1999 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 414 Chancellor
Operator:
Registration:
XB-EXF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Antonio - Monterrey
MSN:
414-0827
YOM:
1975
Location:
Monterrey-Del Norte
Nuevo León
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from San Antonio, the pilot started a night approach to Monterrey-Del Norte. On final in good weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances few km from the airfield. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-31 in Uruapan: 18 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1999 at 1903 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
XA-TKN
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tijuana – Guadalajara – Uruapan – Mexico City
MSN:
47418
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
TEJ725
Location:
Uruapan-General Ignacio López Rayón
Michoacán
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Aircraft flight hours:
58000
Aircraft flight cycles:
59000
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a service from Tijuana to Mexico City with intermediate stops in Guadalajara and Uruapan, carrying 13 passengers and a crew of five. It departed Uruapan-General Ignacio López Rayón Airport runway 20 at 1859LT on the last leg to Mexico City. After liftoff, the crew was cleared to climb to 5,000 feet and while at an altitude of about 1,000 metres, the aircraft adopted a high angle of attack then stalled, entered a dive and crashed in an avocado plantation located 5,3 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 18 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of an over-rotation on takeoff and a climb with a very pronounced angle, which caused the loss of control, with spatial disorientation (loss of the horizon), in a flight operation by instruments (IFR), in which, according to the crew, there was a possible failure of asymmetry indication in the leading edge flaps (slats), with the crew neglecting to control the flight of the aircraft.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Inadequate preparation of information for instrument take-off (IFR) from Uruapan airport and failure to adhere to the operating procedures of the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Manual.
- Failure to perform checklist procedures for the operation of the aircraft in its different phases.
- Loss of external vision (spatial disorientation), aggravated by turning on the cockpit lights, before the takeoff run.
- Inadequate procedure for the rotation of the aircraft during take-off, dragging the tail skid on the runway
- Angle of climb greater than that established in the aircraft Operations Manual.
- Lack of cockpit resource management (CRM).
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules on Mt La Paila: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
3610
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Santa Lucía AFB - Santa Lucía AFB
MSN:
3217
YOM:
1959
Location:
Mt La Paila
Hidalgo
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Santa Lucía AFB on a local training flight. While flying in clouds, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt La Paila (2,865 metres high) located about 57 km northeast of the airbase. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a BAe 125-522-1A in Toluca: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1999 at 0430 LT
Type of aircraft:
BAe 125
Operator:
Aerojet Express
Registration:
XA-TAL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Los Mochis – Toluca
MSN:
25064
YOM:
1965
Location:
Toluca
México
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Los Mochis Airport on a cargo flight to Toluca on behalf of DHL. On descend, the crew was informed by ATC that the visibility was reduced to 1,600 metres due to foggy conditions. While on a night approach to Toluca-Adolfo López Mateos Airport, the crew descended below the MDA, probably to establish a visual contact with the ground. On short final, the aircraft struck a two metres high concrete wall located 350 metres short of runway 15 and crashed, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on short final after the crew decided to carry out an approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions until the aircraft impacted terrain. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Poor visibility due to foggy conditions,
- Captain's overconfidence.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-247 in Loma Bonita

Date & Time: May 10, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-200
Operator:
Registration:
B-12001
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Loma Bonita - Loma Bonita
MSN:
20127
YOM:
1969
Location:
Loma Bonita
Oaxaca
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Loma Bonita Airport which has a 1,400 metres long 18/36 runway. After touchdown, the crew initiated the braking procedure but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, rolled for about 100 metres then came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured. A fire erupted and destroyed the aircraft in few minutes as local firebombers were not sufficiently trained and well equipped.
Probable cause:
It was determined that following a wrong approach configuration, the crew landed too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available. Brake marks were found on the last portion of the runway.

Crash of a Rockwell 500S Shrike Commander near San Cristóbal de Las Casas: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1999 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
ETL-1251
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
500-3211
YOM:
1974
Location:
San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Chiapas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Terán AFB in Tuxtla Gutiérrez at 0915LT on a liaison flight, carrying three passengers and two pilots. About 15 minutes later, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Tzontehuitz located about 12 km northeast of San Cristóbal de Las Casas. All five occupants were killed.
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