Cargo Flight Crash Near Mexico City (CU-T827)

Flight Details and Timeline on the Night of the Accident The aircraft was operating a non-scheduled international cargo flight from Rancho Boyeros Airport in Havana, Cuba, to Mexico City International Airport in Mexico. It departed Havana at approximately 0100 hours Mexico time, with an estimated arrival at 0450 hours. At 0400 hours, the aircraft reached the BX intersection and contacted the Mexico Control Centre to request authorization to enter the control area. The request was granted, and the latest weather information for Mexico City was transmitted to the aircraft, though no acknowledgement was received. Subsequent transmissions from the aircraft on 118.7 MHz were unintelligible, and the aircraft was instructed to change to 120.1 MHz. The clearance and weather information were repeated on that frequency. The aircraft reported over Nautla and Tulanciago and was informed that visibility at Mexico City was 14 miles due to fog. It was then instructed to descend from 18,000 to 12,000 feet and change to the approach frequency of 119.7 MHz. The crew was also advised that the runway would be 23L and that the wind was calm. At 0458 hours, the aircraft reported over Tepexpan and was instructed to descend to 11,000 feet and report over the VOR, where it could initiate a standard descent. At 0500 hours, the aircraft reported over the VOR, leaving 11,000 feet, and was instructed to change to 118.1 MHz, the control tower frequency. This was the last contact with the aircraft, and it did not establish contact on the tower frequency. ## Crash and Official Findings The aircraft crashed in flames 18 km from the runway threshold and 400 meters to the right of its extended centerline. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 10 occupants were killed. The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was pilot error. Specifically, the pilot executed an IFR descent procedure other than that established for Mexico City International Airport and discontinued IFR flight during the descent outside the area protected for VFR flight at that time of day and in the reported weather conditions, below the absolute minima established for descent. Additional findings included: - The aircraft struck the ground nose first in an almost 24° nose-down attitude and with a left bank of approximately 25°. - No evidence of fire or explosion prior to impact was found. - Fire occurred when the left wing broke and fuel came in contact with the exhaust of No. 1 and No. 2 engines. - There was no evidence of the aircraft being out of control during the procedure turn and descent. - The aircraft was not in the landing configuration. - Communications between the aircraft and the Control Centre were normal up to fixing on the Mexico City VOR. - The aircraft never contacted the control tower on the frequency indicated (118.1 MHz). - Although the weather conditions were not good at the time of the accident, the crew apparently discontinued instrument flight and tried to make a visual approach. - The aircraft did not follow the procedure established for instrument descent at Mexico City International Airport and at the moment of impact it was effecting an approach descent and attempting to intercept QDM 228° for final approach to runway 23 left.