On April 1, 2016, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (registration XA-ULU) operated by Aero Servicios Empresariales was involved in an aviation accident near Tayoltita, Mexico in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from a loss of aircraft control triggered by the failure of a turbine compressor disc blade following unapproved engine maintenance. 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.
A charter flight bound for Durango crashed in a riverbed following an engine failure, resulting in three fatalities and seven injuries.
What happened
A single-engine aircraft departed from Tayoltita Airfield at approximately 09:00 local time on a chartered mission to Durango. The flight was carrying one pilot and nine passengers. Roughly twelve minutes after takeoff, the pilot experienced mechanical issues with the engine and issued an emergency declaration. During the attempt to perform an emergency landing due to an inability to sustain altitude, the aircraft struck the bed of the Piaxtla River.
The wreckage was located approximately 16 km northeast of Tayoltita Airfield at coordinates N 24° 11' 2.25" W 105° 47' 12.57''. The impact forces caused the total destruction of the plane, though no post-crash fire was reported. The accident resulted in three fatalities and seven injuries among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the incident was caused by a loss of control following the failure of a turbine compressor disc blade. It was also noted that unauthorized repairs had been performed on the engine without receiving necessary approval from the manufacturer.
Probable cause
The accident resulted from a loss of aircraft control triggered by the failure of a turbine compressor disc blade following unapproved engine maintenance.