Zone

Crash of a Britten Norman BN-2B-27 Islander in Purisima del Maguey

Date & Time: Aug 22, 2013 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XC-FEE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chihuahua – Zacatecas
MSN:
2022
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
4000
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Chihuahua-General Fierro Villalobos Airport at 1352LT on a flight to Zacatecas, carrying four passengers and one pilot. It continued to the south at an altitude of 11,500 feet and a speed of 120 knots. The flight was uneventful until the pilot started the descent to Zacatecas-General Leobardo C. Ruiz. when the left engine lost power then failed shortly later. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in an open field located near Purisima del Maguey, some 25 km northwest of Zacatecas Airport. All five occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine due to fuel exhaustion.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Failure to apply the standard procedures relating to the quantity of fuel required as set out in the applicable regulations which were not provided to the crew by the operator.
- Poor flight preparation.
- Non-adherence to VFR rules.
- Lack of familiarity in the equipment on the part of the pilot when not receiving adequate training from the operator.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B Marquise near Ciudad Juárez: 13 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1983 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chihuahua - Ciudad Juárez
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
While approaching Ciudad Juárez Airport, the crew declared an emergency following an engine fire. The aircraft went out of control and crashed 10 km from the airport, bursting into flames. All 13 occupants were killed, among them the Mexican businessman Enrique Elías Miller.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 in Chihuahua: 32 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1981 at 1628 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-DEN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monterrey – Chihuahua – Hermosillo – Tijuana
MSN:
47621
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
AM230
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
60
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Circumstances:
On approach to Chihuahua-General Roberto Fierro Villalobos Airport, the crew encountered bad weather conditions with heavy rain falls, thunderstorms and strong winds. On short final, just prior to flare, the airplane was caught by downdrafts and struck the runway surface. It bounced then veered off runway to the right. The airplane rolled for few dozen meters then came to rest in flames, broken in two. 34 occupants were injured while 32 others were killed, among them two crew members. At the time of the accident, there was thunderstorms in the approach path with heavy rain falls and wind gusting to 54 knots.
Probable cause:
Loss of control just prior to flare after being caught by downdrafts and turbulences.