Aircraft crash near Petalcingo, Chiapas

5 fatalities • Petalcingo, Mexico • Takeoff (climb)

A twin-engine cargo aircraft crashed into a mountainside in Chiapas shortly after departing Yajalón, resulting in five fatalities.

What happened

Shortly after departing from Yajalón, a twin-engine aircraft crashed into a mountain slope in the vicinity of Petalcingo, Chiapas. The accident occurred approximately five minutes into the flight while the aircraft was operating a cargo mission destined for Tuxtla Gutierrez.

The aircraft was transporting a payload consisting of 50 sacks of coffee, bringing the total weight of the load to 2.5 tons. During the initial climb phase, the plane struck terrain, leading to a high-impact collision. The crash resulted in five fatalities, claiming the lives of all occupants on board, including the pilot, copilot, mechanic, and two passengers.

Findings

Preliminary assessments suggest that an engine failure occurred during the early stages of the ascent. It is believed that the aircraft was overloaded at the time of the incident, which may have contributed to the loss of power or inability to maintain altitude following the engine malfunction.

Probable cause

The aircraft likely experienced an engine failure during the initial climb, potentially exacerbated by exceeding the maximum weight capacity with a heavy coffee cargo.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1957-04-13 Douglas B-18 Bolo accident near Petalcingo, Mexico?

A twin-engine cargo aircraft crashed into a mountainside in Chiapas shortly after departing Yajalón, resulting in five fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1957-04-13 Douglas B-18 Bolo accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1957-04-13 involved a Douglas B-18 Bolo, registration XA-KAP, operated by Servicios Aéreos de Chiapas, at Petalcingo, Mexico.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft likely experienced an engine failure during the initial climb, potentially exacerbated by exceeding the maximum weight capacity with a heavy coffee cargo.

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