9 fatalities

Aircraft Collision with Terrain at Hermosillo (XA-LAN)

Hermosillo-General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia, MexicoLanding (descent or approach)

On January 8, 1993, a Learjet 35 (registration XA-LAN) operated by Avemex - Aviacion Ejecutiva Mexicana was involved in an aviation accident near Hermosillo-General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia, Mexico during landing or approach. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to maintain the minimum prescribed altitude of 2,800 feet on approach. The lack of visibility due to poor weather conditions was considered as a contributing factor. 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

An aircraft struck a mountain slope 10.4 km short of runway 23 at Hermosillo-General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia Airport, killing all nine occupants. The official cause was controlled flight into terrain.

Incident Overview and Approach Details Following an uneventful flight from Mexico City, the crew received clearance for an approach to runway 23 at Hermosillo-General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia Airport. During the descent, air traffic control informed the crew of poor weather conditions and limited visibility. On final approach, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Bachoco at an altitude of 1,800 feet, located 10.4 km short of the runway. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in the deaths of all nine occupants on board. ## Official Findings and Contributing Factors The official investigation determined that the probable cause was controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to maintain the minimum prescribed altitude of 2,800 feet during the approach. The investigation also identified the lack of visibility due to poor weather conditions as a contributing factor to the accident.