Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 in Guatemala City

Date & Time: Nov 21, 2015 at 1240 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Three T’s Auto Sale
Registration:
C6-TAK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Guatemala City - Guatemala City
MSN:
31-228
YOM:
1968
Location:
Guatemala City-La Aurora
Guatemala
Country:
Guatemala
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
191
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4735
Aircraft flight hours:
7600
Circumstances:
The crew departed Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport on a local training flight. Shortly after takeoff from runway 02, while in initial climb, the aircraft entered a right turn then lost height and crashed near an industrial building located about 900 metres from the runway 20 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Both pilots escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled at low height after takeoff due to a poor crew coordination about flight controls.
Final Report:

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:
Zihuatanejo
Guerrero
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:
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 Learjet 31A in Apaseo el Alto: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 22, 2015 at 1528 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 31
Operator:
Registration:
XB-GYB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Toluca - Zacatecas
MSN:
31-166
YOM:
1998
Location:
Apaseo el Alto
Guanajuato
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2693
Aircraft flight hours:
3237
Aircraft flight cycles:
2368
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Toluca Airport at 1528LT on an executive flight to Zacatecas, carrying two passengers and two pilots. Four minutes later, the crew was cleared to climb to FL380 and later reported moderate but continue turbulences. Then the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and disintegrated in the air before crashing near Apaseo el Alto. Debris were found on a large area and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Los Camastros: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 2015 at 1203 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
C-GCMD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7912101
YOM:
1979
Location:
Veracruz
Rivas
Country:
Nicaragua
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Managua-Augusto C. Sandino Airport at 0934LT on a flight for the Australian Company CSA Global, taking part to a geological mission dedicated to the construction of a canal. In unknown circumstances, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located in Los Camastros, about one km north of Veracruz. The pilot was killed and maybe tried to use a parachute before the crash as one was found in the wreckage.

Crash of a Cessna 750 Citation X in Toluca

Date & Time: Aug 27, 2015 at 0015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 750 Citation X
Operator:
Registration:
XA-KYE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
750-0204
YOM:
2002
Location:
Toluca
México
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 was apparently completing a positioning flight to Toluca Airport. Following a night landing on runway 15, the crew started the braking procedure when the aircraft deviated to the left. The crew applied full brake but the aircraft veered off runway. While contacting soft ground, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest about 2,700 metres from the runway threshold. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster off Saba Island

Date & Time: Aug 12, 2015 at 1205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Operator:
Registration:
N924FE
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Juan – Basseterre
MSN:
208B-0024
YOM:
1987
Flight number:
FDX8124
Location:
Juancho E. Yrausquin (Saba Island)
Dutch Antilles
Country:
Dutch Antilles
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot departed San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín Airport at 1049LT on a cargo flight to Basseterre-Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, Saint Kitts & Nevis. The flight was performed by Mountain Air Cargo on behalf of FedEx. The pilot continued the flight at FL110 until 1139LT, reduced his altitude down to FL100 and maintained this level until 1153LT. At this moment, the aircraft was descending between 600 and 800 feet per minute and the pilot decided to divert to the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport located on Saba Island, Dutch Antilles. While approaching to island from the south, the pilot realized he would not make it, so he attempted to ditch the aircraft some 900 metres off shore. The pilot evacuated the cabin and was quickly rescued while the aircraft sank by a depth of about 1,500 feet. According to the pilot, he decided to divert to the nearest airport due to a loss of engine power.

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Panama City

Date & Time: Jul 19, 2015
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 35
Operator:
Registration:
YV543T
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
35-246
YOM:
1979
Location:
Panama City-Tocumen
Panamá
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the aircraft completed a belly landing at Panana City-Tocument Airport. Both occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Swearingen SA226TC Metro II in Querétaro: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 2, 2015 at 1425 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA226 Metro II
Operator:
Registration:
XA-UKP
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Santiago de Querétaro - Santiago de Querétaro
MSN:
TC-376
YOM:
1980
Location:
Santiago de Querétaro
Querétaro
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
19172
Captain / Total hours on type:
3731.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
364
Copilot / Total hours on type:
117
Aircraft flight hours:
26985
Aircraft flight cycles:
37207
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was engaged in a post-maintenance test flight out from Santiago de Querétaro Airport, carrying three engineers and two pilots. It departed runway 09 at 1421LT and the crew was cleared to climb to FL125. While approaching the altitude of 12,000 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed on a motorway located 11 km southwest of the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control of the aircraft in flight for undetermined reasons. No mechanical failure was found on the aircraft and its components that could affect the normal operation of the airplane.
The following findings were identified:
- Lack of coordination and effective communication between ground staff and flight crew,
- Lack of adequate supervision of operations by the operator,
- Lack of a safety culture of the operator.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Monterrey

Date & Time: May 21, 2015
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
Registration:
XB-MTC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Monterrey – Piedras Negras
Location:
Monterrey-Del Norte
Nuevo León
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Monterrey-Del Norte Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered unknown technical problems and attempted an emergency landing in the Seventh Military Zone of the Secretary of the National Defense located west of the airport. The aircraft crashed in a pasture and came to rest upside down, bursting into flames. All five occupants were quickly rescued by military personal while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-12/45 in Ciudad Acuña

Date & Time: Apr 24, 2015 at 1245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-12
Operator:
Servicios Aéreos Corporativos
Registration:
XA-BLU
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
481
YOM:
2003
Location:
Ciudad Acuña-El Bonito
Coahuila
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
3508
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight, the pilot initiated a VFR approach to Ciudad Acuña-El Bonito Airport runway 28 in good weather conditions with 9 km visibility and an OAT of +30° C. On short final, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft impacted ground five metres short of runway. The aircraft bounced, rolled for few dozen metres then veered off runway to the left and came to rest in a wooded area. All six occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred after the pilot suffered a loss of situational awareness while completing a visual approach below the glide, causing the aircraft to struck the ground five metres short of runway 28 threshold.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Overconfidence on part of the pilot,
- Unstabilized approach,
- Lack of visual aids.
Final Report:
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