On December 24, 1966, a Douglas DC-8 (registration XA-NUS) operated by Aeronaves de Mexico was involved in an aviation accident near Mexico City-Benito Juarez, Mexico during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong approach configuration. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a night approach to Mexico City-Benito Juárez Airport in poor visibility, the pilot-in-command descended too low, causing a collision with the ground. The aircraft broke in two and came to rest in Texcoco dry lake. All 109 people aboard were rescued; 28 sustained injuries.
Accident Details
An aircraft conducting an approach to Mexico City-Benito Juárez Airport experienced a controlled flight into terrain during night operations. The approach was performed under poor visibility conditions. The pilot-in-command failed to recognize that the aircraft's altitude was too low, allowing the aircraft to pass below the glide path until it struck the ground.
Impact and Rescue
Upon impact, the undercarriage was torn off and the fuselage broke in two. The wreckage came to rest in the Texcoco dry lake bed. Emergency responders rescued all 109 occupants; 28 of them sustained injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be wrong approach configuration.