No fatalities

Dual-Engine Failure During Post-Maintenance Test Flight from Mexico City

Mexico City-Benito Juarez, MexicoTakeoff (climb)

On February 3, 2000, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) operated by Mexican Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Mexicana was involved in an aviation accident near Mexico City-Benito Juarez, Mexico during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A local post-maintenance test flight from Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport ended in a crash after both engines lost power during initial climb. The pilots escaped uninjured, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Incident Overview and Immediate Aftermath A local post-maintenance test flight departed from Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport. During the initial climb after takeoff, both engines lost power simultaneously. The crew attempted an emergency landing on a nearby soccer field, but the aircraft crash-landed near a motorway. Both pilots escaped the incident uninjured, while the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair. ## Operational Context The flight was conducted as a local post-maintenance test flight, indicating it was likely a short-duration flight to verify aircraft systems following maintenance work. The simultaneous loss of power in both engines during the initial climb phase represents a critical failure scenario, as this stage of flight typically requires full engine performance for safe climb-out. The crew's decision to attempt an emergency landing on a soccer field reflects standard emergency procedures for managing a total engine failure at low altitude, aiming to minimize risk to populated areas and maximize the chances of a survivable landing. ## Outcome and Damage Assessment The aircraft crash-landed near a motorway, resulting in damage beyond repair. The fact that both pilots escaped uninjured is a significant positive outcome, suggesting that the emergency landing, while resulting in a crash, was managed in a way that mitigated injury risk. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or the specific cause of the dual-engine failure, so these details remain unconfirmed based on the provided information.