13 fatalities

2019-05-05: Canadair CL-601 Challenger (N601VH) — Compañía de Aviación y Logística Empresarial S.A.P.I. — La Rosita, Mexico

La Rosita, MexicoFlight

On May 5, 2019, a Canadair CL-601 Challenger (registration N601VH) operated by Compañía de Aviación y Logística Empresarial S.A.P.I. was involved in an aviation accident near La Rosita, Mexico in flight. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of control was caused by severe turbulence that went undetected due to a failure in the aircraft's weather radar. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781190989Data APIEditorial standards

A charter flight traveling from Las Vegas to Monterrey crashed in a desert area near La Rosita, resulting in the deaths of all 13 people on board.

What happened

A charter flight departed from Las Vegas-McCarran Airport at 14:52 local time, destined for Monterrey. The aircraft was transporting 11 passengers and two pilots. During the cruise phase of the flight, while operating at FL370, the crew received clearance to climb through several flight levels, including FL390 and eventually FL410.

During this ascent, the aircraft type experienced a sudden and uncontrolled descent. The plane impacted the ground in an almost flat attitude within a desert region situated near La Rosita, Coahuila. The impact forces and a subsequent post-crash fire resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were 13 fatalities and no survivors among the occupants.

Findings

The investigation into the crash identified that the aircraft encountered severe atmospheric turbulence originating from an unstable weather system. A critical factor in the accident was that the crew was unable to identify the approaching weather phenomenon because of a malfunction in the onboard weather radar system.

Probable cause

The loss of control was caused by severe turbulence that went undetected due to a failure in the aircraft's weather radar.