Crash of an Embraer ERJ-190AR in Durango

Date & Time: Jul 31, 2018 at 1523 LT
Type of aircraft:
Embraer ERJ-190
Operator:
Registration:
XA-GAL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Durango – Mexico City
MSN:
190-00173
YOM:
2008
Flight number:
AM2431
Location:
Durango
Durango
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
98
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3700
Captain / Total hours on type:
1064.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1973
Copilot / Total hours on type:
460
Aircraft flight hours:
27257
Aircraft flight cycles:
18200
Circumstances:
The takeoff from Durango-Guadalupe Victoria Airport was initiated in poor weather conditions as a thunderstorm just passed over the airport five minutes prior to the accident. The takeoff from runway 03 was completed with a wind from 047° at 33 knots. Eight seconds after liftoff, the aircraft climbed to a height of 8 feet with a speed of 145 knots. At this time, the wind came from 103° at 11 knots. The aircraft continued to climb to 30 feet when the wind changed with a tailwind component of 22 knots from 030°. The aircraft started to descend and impacted ground, causing both engines to be torn off. The aircraft continued, overran and slid for 380 metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All 103 occupants were evacuated and 39 were injured, 14 seriously. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and strong winds. Notable variations in wind components were noticed at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
Impact against the runway caused by loss of control of the aircraft in the final phase of the take-off run by low altitude windshear that caused a loss of speed and lift. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Decrease in situational awareness of the flight crew when the commander was performing unauthorized instructional tasks without being qualified to provide flight instruction and to assign copilot and Pilot Flying duties to a an uncertified and unlicensed pilot,
- Failure to detect variations in the indicator displayed by the airspeed indicator on the PFD during the take-off run,
- Lack of adherence to sterile cabin procedures and operational procedures (TVC; Changes of runway and/or take off conditions after door closings; Take off in adverse windshear conditions) established in the Flight Operations Manual, the Dispatch Manual and the Standard Operating Procedures,
- Lack of adherence to published procedure,
- Lack of adherence to Aerodrome and meteorological information procedures,
- Lack of supervision on part of Tower personnel at Durango Airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Saltillo

Date & Time: May 24, 2018
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA227 Metro III
Operator:
Registration:
XA-UPP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saltillo - Saltillo
MSN:
AC-736
YOM:
1989
Location:
Saltillo
Coahuila
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training flight at Saltillo-Plan de Guadalupe Airport. After touchdown on runway 17, the airplane veered off runway to the left, lost its right main gear and came to rest about 600 metres from the runway threshold. All three crew members evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan near Tuzantán: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 2018 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Location:
Tuzantán
Chiapas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded and hilly terrain located near Tuzantán. The airplane was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed. According to Mexican Authorities, the crew was completing an illegal flight.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Playa del Carmen

Date & Time: Dec 21, 2017 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
XA-UHL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Playa del Carmen – Chichén Itzá
MSN:
207-0261
YOM:
1974
Location:
Playa del Carmen
Quintana Roo
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1506
Captain / Total hours on type:
37.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5090
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Playa del Carmen, while flying at an altitude of 1,500 feet, the engine lost power and failed. The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing when the aircraft collided with trees and crashed in a wooded area located 18 km from its departure point. The pilot and all four passengers, a British family on vacations, were uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by an oil leak following the failure of the 5th cylinder.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near San Vicente: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 2017 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
XB-OUE
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Toluca – Acapulco
Location:
San Vicente
Guerrero
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Toluca to Acapulco, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. In limited visibility, the twin engine airplane struck hilly and wooded terrain in the Sierra de Chilpancingo, near San Vicente. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.

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 Learjet 25B in Toluca: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 2017 at 1525 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 25
Operator:
Registration:
XA-VMC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Toluca - Durango
MSN:
25-114
YOM:
1973
Location:
Toluca
México
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
14654
Aircraft flight cycles:
13449
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 15 at Toluca-Licendiado Adolfo López Mateos, after the airplane passed the V1 speed, the warning light came on in the cockpit panel, informing the crew about the deployment of the reverse on the left engine. According to published procedures, the crew continued the takeoff and shortly after rotation, during initiale climb, the aircraft rolled to the left and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found about 200 metres past the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Probable Cause:
Loss of control of the aircraft during the emergency procedure of indication of the deployment of the reverse of the engine number one during the takeoff roll above V1, which was consistent with the training and standard operating procedures that call to continue the takeoff, causing the collapse of the aircraft, by low speed and the operation of abrupt maneuvers and turns towards the engine side in idle position and commanded opening of the Drag Shut due to poor CRM.
Contributing factors:
- False indication of reverse display of dwelling position number one.
- Failure of pilots of previous flights not to refer failures to indicate the deployment of reverses for maintenance actions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Chichén Itzá

Date & Time: Feb 15, 2017 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
Operator:
Registration:
N116TH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Monterrey – Cancún
MSN:
46-8608005
YOM:
1986
Location:
Chichén Itzá
Yucatán
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While overflying the Yucatán Province, en route from Monterrey to Cancún, the pilot informed ATC that he was low of fuel and requested the permission to divert to Chichén Itzá Airport for an emergency landing. While approaching the airfield by night, the single engine aircraft descended into trees and crashed few km from the airport. The airplane was destroyed and there was no fire. All five occupants were injured.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in El Sacrificio

Date & Time: Nov 29, 2016
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N633D
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
El Sacrificio
Campeche
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was involved in a smuggling flight within Mexico and was carrying three people. In unclear circumstances, the pilot attempted a belly landing in a swampy area located in El Sacrificio, State of Campeche. The wreckage was found by local authorities few hours later and no trace of the occupant was found or the load was found. The registration N633D is attributed to a Piper PA-31 with MSN 31-7852098 which was not involved in this accident. Thus, it was confirmed by Mexican and US Authorities that the registration was false.

Crash of a Dornier DO328Jet-310 in Toluca

Date & Time: Oct 24, 2016 at 2029 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dornier DO328Jet
Operator:
Registration:
XA-ALA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chetumal - Toluca
MSN:
3167
YOM:
2000
Location:
Toluca
México
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14140
Captain / Total hours on type:
1699.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3623
Copilot / Total hours on type:
38
Aircraft flight hours:
13058
Aircraft flight cycles:
13493
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful positioning flight by night from Chetumal, the crew was cleared to land on runway 33 at Toluca Airport. Upon touchdown, the airplane went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft grounf, the airplane lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a grassy area. All four occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control upon landing due to the exhaust gases of the three turbofan engines and wake turbulences from an heavy category aircraft, causing a runway excursion, and an additional presence of crosswind, resulting in the aircraft rolling over uneven terrain of the safety strip resulting in severe damage.
Contributing factors:
- Safety strip in poor condition,
- Failure to attach times and separation distance between an aircraft taking off and landing on the same runway, to avoid the formation of wake turbulence and the presence of the exhaust gases of turbofan engines.
Final Report:
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