What happened
During the final approach phase to Mexicali Airport, the aircraft encountered sudden windshear conditions. This atmospheric disturbance caused the plane to lose necessary altitude while on short final. As a result of the descent, the landing gear made contact with the ground before reaching the runway threshold, causing the undercarriage to be ripped from the airframe.
Following the impact with the terrain, the aircraft continued its movement onto the runway, landing on its belly. The plane slid for several dozen meters along the runway surface before coming to a complete stop. While the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, there were no injuries reported among those on board.
Findings
- The primary factor in the loss of altitude was the encounter with windshear during the approach.
- The structural failure of the landing gear was caused by the undercarriage striking the ground short of the runway.