7 fatalities

2012-12-09: Learjet 25 (N345MC) — Starwood Management — Iturbide, Mexico

Iturbide, MexicoFlight

On December 9, 2012, a Learjet 25 (registration N345MC) operated by Starwood Management was involved in an aviation accident near Iturbide, Mexico in flight. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined. However, it was reported that the pilot aged 78 was not allowed to conduct commercial flight due to his age. Also, the young copilot aged 21 did not have a type rating for such aircraft. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781194481Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed near Iturbide, Mexico, killing all seven occupants, including singer Dolores Jenney Rivera. The cause of the loss of control could not be determined, but the pilot lacked authorization to fly commercially due to age and the copilot lacked a type rating.

Accident

On the early morning, an aircraft departed Monterrey-General Mariano Escobido Airport at 0315 local time bound for Toluca, carrying five passengers and two pilots. While cruising at 28,700 feet on radial 163, the aircraft lost control, dove into the ground, and crashed in a mountainous area near Iturbide, in the southern part of Parque Natural Sierra de Arteaga, approximately 100 kilometers south of Monterrey. Debris was scattered over an area of about 300 meters. All seven occupants were killed, including American-Mexican singer Dolores Jenney Rivera, aged 43. She was accompanied by her impresario and members of her team. They had left Monterrey after a concert and were scheduled to participate in a television show in Toluca.

Investigation

The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined. However, it was reported that the pilot, aged 78, was not permitted to conduct commercial flights due to his age. Additionally, the copilot, aged 21, did not hold a type rating for the aircraft.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined. However, it was reported that the pilot aged 78 was not allowed to conduct commercial flight due to his age. Also, the young copilot aged 21 did not have a type rating for such aircraft.