On June 18, 1955, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration XA-LID) operated by Tigres Voladores was involved in an aviation accident near León, Mexico during takeoff. 18 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of power in one engine following rotation caused the aircraft to stall and crash. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
An aircraft crashed into a wooded area shortly after departing from León-Guanajuato-Del Bajio Airport, resulting in eighteen fatalities.
What happened
During the initial climb phase following departure from León-Guanajuato-Del Bajio Airport, the aircraft experienced significant issues maintaining altitude. The plane subsequently collided with trees and impacted a forested region, where it caught fire.
The accident resulted in eighteen fatalities among the passengers and crew. While those eighteen individuals perished, the remaining occupants of the aircraft survived the impact, though they sustained various injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the primary factor was a mechanical failure involving one engine occurring right after rotation. This loss of power led to an aerodynamic stall, preventing the aircraft from climbing and causing it to descend into the trees.
Probable cause
The loss of power in one engine following rotation caused the aircraft to stall and crash.