Accident Summary
The takeoff from Durango-Guadalupe Victoria Airport was initiated in poor weather conditions, with a thunderstorm having passed over the airport five minutes prior. The aircraft departed from runway 03 with a wind from 047° at 33 knots. Eight seconds after liftoff, the aircraft reached a height of 8 feet at a speed of 145 knots. At that moment, the wind shifted to 103° at 11 knots. The aircraft continued climbing to 30 feet, when the wind changed to a tailwind component of 22 knots from 030°. Subsequently, the aircraft began to descend and impacted the ground, causing both engines to be torn off. The aircraft overran and slid for 380 meters before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All 103 occupants were evacuated; 39 were injured, 14 seriously. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post-crash fire.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity, heavy rainfall, and strong winds. Notable variations in wind components were observed during the accident sequence. The wind shifted significantly after liftoff, with a tailwind component of 22 knots shortly before the descent.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official probable cause was determined as impact against the runway caused by loss of control of the aircraft in the final phase of the take-off run by low altitude windshear that caused a loss of speed and lift. The following contributing factors were reported: decrease in situational awareness of the flight crew when the commander performed unauthorized instructional tasks without being qualified to provide flight instruction and assigned copilot and Pilot Flying duties to an uncertified and unlicensed pilot; failure to detect variations in the airspeed indicator on the PFD during the take-off run; lack of adherence to sterile cabin procedures and operational procedures (TVC; changes of runway and/or takeoff conditions after door closings; takeoff in adverse windshear conditions) established in the Flight Operations Manual, the Dispatch Manual, and the Standard Operating Procedures; lack of adherence to published procedure; lack of adherence to aerodrome and meteorological information procedures; and lack of supervision on part of Tower personnel at Durango Airport.