Accident
An aircraft on an uneventful flight from Cozumel initiated an Instrument Landing System (ILS)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) 2 approach to Runway 17 at Saltillo-Plan de Guadalupe Airport. During the final approach, the crew encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. Despite being unable to establish visual contact with the runway, the crew continued the approach and descended below the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA).
The aircraft subsequently collided with power cables and crashed into a building located in an industrial park, approximately 1,448 meters short of the runway. Impact forces and a post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft. The building was also destroyed by fire. All eight occupants aboard the aircraft were killed.
At the time of the accident, horizontal visibility was estimated at 800 meters, with vertical visibility of 200 feet.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the accident was the consequence of the crew's decision to continue the approach below the MDA in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) until the aircraft collided with power cables and impacted the ground.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The approach was unstable.
- The crew decided to continue the approach below the MDA without visual contact with the runway.
- Poor safety culture by the operator.
- The crew failed to comply with procedures related to an ILS/DME2 approach to Runway 17.
- Lack of crew resource management.
- The crew failed to respond to the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) alarm.
- The crew did not monitor the altitude during the final approach.
- Poor weather conditions with visibility below minimums.
- Inadequate maintenance controls.
- The crew failed to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).