Country
Mexico
code

Baja California

Crash of a Boeing 727-212 in Laguna Salada

Date & Time: Apr 27, 2012 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-200
Operator:
Registration:
XB-MNP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
MSN:
21348/1287
YOM:
1977
Location:
Laguna Salada
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Mexicali Airport with one pilot on board. The goal of the flight was a test experiment on behalf of the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority and various agencies to crash deliberately the aircraft in the Laguna Salada for a television program organized by British, German, Mexican and American Producers. While approaching the desert along the Mexican 5 Highway, about 30 km southwest of Mexicali, the pilot bailed out and the aircraft continued for few seconds in a slightly flat attitude. In a flaps down and gear down configuration, the aircraft touched down hard in a sandy area, lost its undercarriage, crashed and came to rest, broken in two.

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Tijuana: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 2011 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Francisco Zermeño
Registration:
N76VK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Tijuana – Loreto
MSN:
61-0305-079
YOM:
1976
Location:
Tijuana-General Abelardo L. Rodríguez
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 09 at Tijuana-General Abelardo L. Rodríguez Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed onto a garage, bursting into flames. Both occupants as well as one people in his car were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 501 Citation I/SP in Mexicali

Date & Time: Dec 3, 2006
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 501 Citation I
Operator:
Premier Air Management
Registration:
N501SP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
501-0019
YOM:
1977
Location:
Mexicali
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On short final to Mexicali Airport, the aircraft encountered windshear and lost height. The undercarriage struck the ground short of runway threshold and were torn off. The aircraft landed on its belly and slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest on the runway. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on short final due to windshear.

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 60 in Mexicali

Date & Time: Jul 28, 2004 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Sabreliner 60
Operator:
Registration:
XC-PFN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tijuana – Mexicali
MSN:
306-111
YOM:
1976
Location:
Mexicali
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Tijuana, the aircraft landed too far down the runway 28 at Mexicali-General Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada Airport. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran, rolled for about 750 metres, collided with an embankment and came to rest in a sandy area. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The aircraft had the dual registration XC-PFN (civil) and PF-213 (military).

Crash of a Saab 340B in Tijuana

Date & Time: Sep 6, 2001 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Saab 340
Operator:
Registration:
XA-ACK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Ciudad Juárez – Tijuana
MSN:
183
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
SLI2130
Location:
Tijuana-General Abelardo L. Rodríguez
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Tijuana-General Abelardo L. Rodríguez Airport in good weather conditions, the crew informed ATC about the failure of both engines. The captain attempted an emergency landing in an open field located in the Las Palmas Valley, about 24 km from Tijuana Airport. The aircraft slid on its belly for few dozen metres and came to rest. All 32 occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight for unknown reasons.

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 Cessna 500 Citation I in Ensenada: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1996 at 2020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 500 Citation
Operator:
Aérotaxi Cachanilla
Registration:
XA-SLQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tijuana - Ensenada
MSN:
500-0111
YOM:
1973
Location:
Ensenada
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While approaching Ensenada Airport by night and foggy conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck a hill located few km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all eight occupants were killed. It is believed that the crew did not receive any clearance to approach Ensenada Airport and continued the descent at an insufficient altitude.

Crash of a Learjet 25D in Tijuana

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 25
Operator:
Registration:
XA-NOG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mexico City – Tijuana
MSN:
25-349
YOM:
1981
Location:
Tijuana-General Abelardo L. Rodríguez
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Tijuana-General Abelardo L. Rodríguez Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with clouds down to 180 metres. On short final, the captain realized his position was not correct and made several correction but inefficiently. The aircraft landed hard, right main gear first. On impact, both tires on the right main gear burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered to right and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew completed a landing procedure following an unstabilized approach and failed to initiate a go-around.

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest in Mexicali: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1987 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 441 Conquest
Operator:
United States Government
Registration:
N2484B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
San Diego - Palm Springs
MSN:
441-0112
YOM:
1979
Location:
Mexicali
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Aircraft flight hours:
1461
Circumstances:
A Cessna 441 operated by the US Customs Services collided with terrain while on an authorized night tactical flight. The copilot did not meet the currency standards as required by USCS and was not qualified in the aircraft. The flight originated during the daylight hours and continued to astronomical twilight. The pilots did not dark adapt previous to the night conditions. Dark adaption was impeded by flight through various light conditions created by terrain and ambient light levels. With night vision impeded the pilot would not have been able to distinguish relief of the terrain. The acft collided with a small ridge that abruptly rose 300 feet. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) terrain condition - uphill
2. (c) altitude - misjudged - pilot in command
3. (f) excessive workload (task overload) - pilot in command
4. (f) light condition - night
5. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
6. (f) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot in command
7. (f) visual/aural detection - pilot in command
8. (f) visual lookout - inadequate - copilot/second pilot
9. (f) visual/aural detection - copilot/second pilot
10. (f) lack of recent instrument time - copilot/second pilot
11. (f) inadequate transition/upgrade training - copilot/second pilot
12. (f) in-flight planning/decision - inadequate - pilot in command
13. (f) crew/group coordination - inadequate - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Camalú

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1969 at 0832 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Pacific Interconnect
Registration:
N520X
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Camalú - El Arco
MSN:
520-83
YOM:
1953
Location:
Camalú
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2900
Captain / Total hours on type:
60.00
Circumstances:
Struck an object while taking off from Camalú Airstrip. The aircraft veered off runway and crashed. All six occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Final Report:
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