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3 fatalities

Tayoltita Airfield Charter Flight Crash in Piaxtla River (XA-ULU)

Tayoltita, MexicoFlight

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 was the consequence of a loss of control following the failure of a turbine compressor disc blade. It was reported that unauthorized repairs had been made on the engine without the approval of the engine manufacturer. 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 report: the Federal Civil Aviation Agency of Mexico (AFAC)Updated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine charter aircraft crashed into the Piaxtla River 12 minutes after departing Tayoltita Airfield, killing three passengers and injuring seven others.

Incident Overview and Flight Details A single-engine airplane departed from Tayoltita Airfield at approximately 0900 local time on a charter flight bound for Durango. The aircraft was carrying nine passengers and one pilot. Twelve minutes into the flight, the pilot encountered engine problems and declared an emergency. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the pilot attempted an emergency landing, which resulted in the aircraft crashing into the bed of the Piaxtla River. The wreckage was located approximately 16 kilometers northeast of Tayoltita Airfield, at coordinates N 24° 11' 2.65'' W 105° 47' 12.57''. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces, and no fire occurred. Three passengers were killed, and seven other occupants were injured.

Probable cause

The accident was the consequence of a loss of control following the failure of a turbine compressor disc blade. It was reported that unauthorized repairs had been made on the engine without the approval of the engine manufacturer.
Engine failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Apr 2016 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan accident near Tayoltita, Mexico?

A single-engine charter aircraft crashed into the Piaxtla River 12 minutes after departing Tayoltita Airfield, killing three passengers and injuring seven others.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Apr 2016 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Apr 2016 involved a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, registration XA-ULU, operated by Aero Servicios Empresariales, at Tayoltita, Mexico.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was the consequence of a loss of control following the failure of a turbine compressor disc blade. It was reported that unauthorized repairs had been made on the engine without the approval of the engine manufacturer.

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