Aircraft Crash During Simulated Descent at Acapulco (XA-PEI)

Flight Operations and Incident Sequence The aircraft completed a scheduled flight from New York, U.S.A., to Acapulco, Mexico, with an intermediate stop at Mexico City. It arrived at Acapulco International Airport at 0012 local time. After servicing and refueling, the aircraft departed runway 10 at approximately 0114 local time on a local crew training flight. At about 0150 local time, the aircraft reported over the station at 16,000 ft and requested clearance from the tower to conduct a simulated descent. Clearance was granted, and the aircraft was instructed to report at 6,000 ft overhead. It complied and was observed by the tower controller, who then requested a report on the procedure turn. The aircraft reported on the procedure turn at 2,500 ft, which was the last message received. At approximately 0215 local time, explosions were heard and a fire was reported southeast of the airport. The wreckage was located on the slope of Mt El Salado, about 33 km from Acapulco Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed, and all six crew members were killed.