2 fatalities

2008-12-07: Learjet 23 (XC-LGD) — Government of the State of Tlaxcala — Atlangatepec, Mexico

Atlangatepec, MexicoLanding (descent or approach)

On December 7, 2008, a Learjet 23 (registration XC-LGD) operated by Government of the State of Tlaxcala was involved in an aviation accident near Atlangatepec, Mexico during landing or approach. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low on final approach. Contributing factors: limited visibility due to night and low clouds, approach with tailwind, approach started about an hour after sunset, copilot inexperience. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781197026Data APIEditorial standards

A positioning flight from Puebla ended in a lagoon crash during an attempted landing on runway 19. The aircraft impacted water short of the runway due to controlled flight into terrain. Both pilots were killed.

Accident Details

The aircraft departed Puebla-Hermanos Serdán-Huejotzingo Airport on a positioning flight to Atlangatepec. During the approach to runway 01, the crew performed a low pass over the runway and initiated a go-around procedure, followed by a circuit to attempt landing on runway 19.

Approach and Impact

On final approach, in limited visibility due to night and low clouds, the aircraft impacted the water surface and crashed in the Atlanga lagoon. The aircraft sank to a depth of approximately 30 meters, about 800 meters short of the runway threshold.

Investigation Findings

According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low on final approach. Contributing factors included limited visibility due to the night and low clouds, the approach being completed with a tailwind component, the approach starting about an hour after sunset, and the copilot's inexperience. Both pilots were killed.