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Crash of a Piper PA-61P Aerostar near Durango: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 23, 2022 at 1829 LT
Registration:
N66CG
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Celaya - Durango
MSN:
61-0277-061
YOM:
1976
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While approaching Durango Airport on a flight from Celaya, the twin engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located near the village of Ceballos, about 16 km northwest of the Durango Intl Airport. The burned wreckage was found near the Peña del Aguila Dam. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90A King Air in Durango: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 2021 at 0935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N333WW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Luis Potosí – Durango
MSN:
LJ-1741
YOM:
2005
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Durango-Guadalupe Victoria Airport following an uneventful flight from San Luis Potosí, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a grassy area, coming to rest upside down and bursting into flames. A pilot and two passengers were killed while four other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Cessna 401A in Las Juntas: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 2019 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XB-JZF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Durango - Acapulco
MSN:
401A-0051
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
En route from Durango to Acapulco, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Infiernillo River, in the region of Las Juntas. The wreckage was found inverted and partially submerged in water. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of an Embraer ERJ-190AR in Durango

Date & Time: Jul 31, 2018 at 1523 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-GAL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Durango – Mexico City
MSN:
190-00173
YOM:
2008
Flight number:
AM2431
Location:
Country:
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 Learjet 25B in Toluca: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 2017 at 1525 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-VMC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toluca - Durango
MSN:
25-114
YOM:
1973
Location:
Country:
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 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan near Tayoltita: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 2016 at 0917 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-ULU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tayoltita - Durango
MSN:
208B-2104
YOM:
2009
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
7443
Aircraft flight hours:
4027
Aircraft flight cycles:
3479
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Tayoltita Airfield around 0900LT on a charter flight to Durango, carrying nine passengers and one pilot. Twelve minutes into the flight, the pilot encountered engine problems and declared an emergency. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, he attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in the bed of the Piaxtla River. The wreckage was found about 16 km northeast of Tayoltita Airfield (N 24° 11' 2.65" W 105° 47' 12.57''). The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and there was no fire. Three passengers were killed and seven other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a loss of control following the failure of a turbine compressor disc blade. It was reported that unauthorized repairs had been made on the engine without the approval of the engine manufacturer.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-14 in Mexico City

Date & Time: Jul 21, 2004 at 1933 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-BCS
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mexico City – Durango – Torreón
MSN:
47043
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
JR706
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
96300
Aircraft flight cycles:
102000
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 05L at Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft encountered windshear. It lost height and crash landed on the runway. Upon impact, the landing gear were torn off. Out of control, the aircraft veered off runway, lost its right wing and came to rest. All 56 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control upon takeoff due to windshear.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Reno

Date & Time: Mar 13, 2002 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N948CC
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Durango - Truckee
MSN:
LW-236
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1610
Captain / Total hours on type:
608.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8773
Circumstances:
During an instrument approach, upon descending to the prescribed minimum descent altitude, about 1/2 mile from the missed approach point, the pilot failed to maintain flying airspeed. The airplane stalled, rolled left, and in an uncontrolled descent collided with a commercial building 0.96 nm from the runway's displaced threshold. The accident occurred during the return portion of a round trip flight, while on final approach to the pilot's alternate airport due to a weather-induced diversion. Moderate intensity snow showers and freezing fog existed. During the initial approach, the reported visibility was 1 1/2 miles. About the time the pilot passed the final approach fix, the visibility decreased to 1/2 mile, but the pilot was not informed of the decrease below his 1-mile minimum requirement. The pilot had maintained the recommended 140-knot approach speed in the icing conditions until about 3 1/2 miles from the runway. Thereafter, the airplane's speed gradually decreased until reaching about 75 knots. After the airplane started vibrating, the pilot increased engine power, but his action was not timely enough to avert stalling. Company mechanics maintained the airplane. On previous occasions overheat conditions had occurred wherein the environmental ducting melted and heat was conducted to the adjacent pneumatic tube that provides deice air to the empennage boots. During the accident investigation, the deice tube was found completely melted closed, thus rendering all of the empennage deice boots dysfunctional.
Probable cause:
The pilot's inadequate approach airspeed for the existing adverse meteorological conditions followed by his delayed remedial action to avert stalling and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing factors were the pilot's reduced visibility due to the inclement weather and the icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Pagosa Springs: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 2001 at 0904 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N161RB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Alamosa – Durango
MSN:
31-7952097
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1962
Captain / Total hours on type:
614.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
468
Copilot / Total hours on type:
208
Aircraft flight hours:
9022
Circumstances:
The airplane was on a non-scheduled cargo flight which was projected to fly an approximate 240 degree course for 92 nm. The accident site was located on a heavily forested steep mountain side, 15 to 16 nm north of the airplane's projected course. The debris field began at an east-west ridge line, and progressed for 300 feet on a 010 degree track to the downed airplane. Examination of the airframe and engines revealed no evidence of preimpact discrepancies. The accident site was in an area where the Fall color of the aspens was at its peak. Additionally, it was an area where elk were sometimes observed.
Probable cause:
The flight crews' intentional low altitude flight, and failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Santa Maria de Otaez: 17 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1996
Operator:
Registration:
XA-SWJ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Durango - Santa Maria de Otaez
MSN:
126
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
On approach to Santa Maria de Otaez Airstrip, the crew encountered strong winds and turbulences when the aircraft went out of control and crashed on a hill located few km from the airfield. Three passengers were seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed. About two weeks later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.