3 fatalities

Aircraft Crash in Lagoon Near Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport (XA-RRK)

Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina, MexicoLanding (descent or approach)

On January 2, 1998, a Learjet 24 (registration XA-RRK) operated by Aerodinamo del Pacifico was involved in an aviation accident near Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina, Mexico during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The decision of the crew to continue the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions (foggy conditions), allowing the aircraft to descend below the minimum descent altitude until impact with the ground. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered XA-RRK
Aircraft registered XA-RRK. Photo: Aeroprints.com / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An aircraft crashed into a lagoon 12.8 km short of the runway at Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport after descending below minimums. Three people were killed and five were injured.

Incident Overview During an approach to Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport, the flight crew established the aircraft on the instrument landing system (ILS). The aircraft subsequently descended below the glide path and the minimum descent altitude (MDA) before striking the ground. The crash occurred in a lagoon located 12.8 km short of the runway. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident. Three individuals, including the pilot and two passengers, were killed, while five other occupants sustained injuries. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the crew's decision to continue the approach under visual flight rules (VFR) mode in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), specifically foggy conditions. This decision allowed the aircraft to descend below the minimum descent altitude until it impacted the ground.