14 fatalities

2013-10-14: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (XA-TXM) — Aéreo Servicios Guerrero — Loreto, Mexico

Loreto, MexicoFlight

On October 14, 2013, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (registration XA-TXM) operated by Aéreo Servicios Guerrero was involved in an aviation accident near Loreto, Mexico in flight. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation while cruising in unfavorable weather conditions due to the presence of the tropical storm 'Octave'. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781193926Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine aircraft crashed into a mountain in Baja California Sur six minutes after takeoff, killing all 14 occupants. Poor weather from Tropical Storm Octave was a factor.

Accident Details

On the day of the accident, a single-engine aircraft departed Loreto Airport at 0901 local time for a flight to Ciudad Constitución. The aircraft carried 13 passengers and one pilot, totaling 14 occupants. Weather conditions were poor, with limited visibility and heavy rainfall due to the presence of Tropical Storm 'Octave'.

Collision and Wreckage

Six minutes after takeoff, while cruising at an altitude of 3,900 feet, the airplane impacted the slope of a rocky mountain in the Sierra de La Giganta. The wreckage was discovered two days later approximately 26 kilometers west of Loreto. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 14 occupants were killed.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be controlled flight into terrain after the pilot suffered spatial disorientation while cruising in unfavorable weather conditions due to the presence of Tropical Storm 'Octave'.