On September 9, 1978, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration XA-BOP) operated by Lineas Aéreas del Centro was involved in an aviation accident near Mexico City, Mexico in flight. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck a mountainside that was hidden by clouds during flight in poor weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine airplane crashed into a mountain slope approximately 65 km west of Mexico City, resulting in 19 fatalities.
What happened
During a flight through challenging weather conditions, a twin engine airplane collided with the side of a mountain. The impact occurred on a slope that was obscured by heavy cloud cover. The accident took place at a location situated roughly 65 km to the west of Mexico City.
Of the individuals on board the aircraft, there were 19 fatalities and two survivors, consisting of the pilot and one passenger.
Findings
The aircraft was operating in marginal meteorological conditions at the time of the accident.
Cloud cover obscured the terrain, preventing the crew from seeing the mountain slope during the cruise phase of flight.
Probable cause
The aircraft struck a mountainside that was hidden by clouds during flight in poor weather conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 9 Sept 1978 De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter accident near Mexico City, Mexico?
A twin-engine airplane crashed into a mountain slope approximately 65 km west of Mexico City, resulting in 19 fatalities.
Were there any fatalities in the 9 Sept 1978 De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 19 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 9 Sept 1978 involved a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, registration XA-BOP, operated by Lineas Aéreas del Centro, at Mexico City, Mexico.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The aircraft struck a mountainside that was hidden by clouds during flight in poor weather conditions.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…