Aircraft impact during night approach at Mexico City

No fatalities • Mexico City-Benito Juarez, Mexico • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft crashed in the Texcoco dry lakebed after descending below the required glide path during a nighttime approach to Mexico City-Benito Juárez Airport.

What happened

During a nighttime arrival at Mexico City-Benito Juárez Airport, an aircraft encountered conditions of low visibility. While performing the approach, the pilot-in-command failed to maintain the necessary altitude, causing the plane to descend beneath the established glide slope.

The aircraft type struck the ground during this descent. The force of the impact caused the landing gear to be ripped from the airframe and resulted in the fuselage breaking into two separate sections. The wreckage eventually came to a stop within the Texcoco dry lakebed.

Despite the severity of the crash, all 109 occupants were successfully rescued from the site. Among those rescued, 28 individuals sustained injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the accident.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the primary factor was an incorrect approach configuration by the flight crew, which led to the loss of altitude during the final stages of the flight.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain the proper glide path, resulting in a low-altitude approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1966-12-24 Douglas DC-8 accident near Mexico City-Benito Juarez, Mexico?

An aircraft crashed in the Texcoco dry lakebed after descending below the required glide path during a nighttime approach to Mexico City-Benito Juárez Airport.

Were there any fatalities in the 1966-12-24 Douglas DC-8 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1966-12-24 involved a Douglas DC-8, registration XA-NUS, operated by Aeronaves de Mexico, at Mexico City-Benito Juarez, Mexico.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot failed to maintain the proper glide path, resulting in a low-altitude approach.

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