Accident
Approximately at 0759 local time, an air taxi flight crashed while approaching Tijuana, Mexico. The aircraft had departed Guerrero Negro, Mexico, around 0600 on a flight to Tijuana. At 0715, Tijuana weather was reported as partially obscured, with visibility 1 mile in fog, haze, and smoke, and calm wind. The pilot was cleared for an ILS runway 09 approach and reported over the final approach fix. The aircraft crashed before reaching the middle marker, which was 1/2 mile from the approach end of runway 09. Impact occurred on a ridge approximately 110 feet below the airport elevation and about 100 yards north of the international border. The wreckage was located a short time later by US Border Patrol personnel.
Investigation
Post-impact examination found no preimpact part failure or malfunction. The 0800 weather at Tijuana was reported: sky partially obscured, visibility 1/10 mile with fog and haze, wind 210° at 4 knots. About 1 mile north at Brown Field, weather was: sky partially obscured, visibility 3/4 mile with fog and haze, wind 280° at 4 knots. Toxicological analysis of the pilot's blood revealed an alcohol level of 0.7‰ (0.07% BAC). Calculations indicated the sun would have been 16° above the horizon on a magnetic azimuth of 89.8° at the time of the accident.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause for the accident, classified as an in-flight collision with terrain/water during the approach phase (FAF/outer marker to threshold in IFR), listed the following findings:
- Factors: low ceiling, fog, sunglare, and impairment (alcohol) – pilot in command.
- Causes: improper IFR procedure by the pilot in command, and failure to maintain proper altitude by the pilot in command.
All six occupants of the aircraft were killed.