What happened
During an approach to runway 05R at Mexico-Benito Juarez International Airport, a Learjet 45 was following a Boeing 767-300 operated by Mexicana. Air traffic control had issued various speed adjustments to the aircraft in the sequence to maintain proper separation. While the Boeing 767 was instructed to reduce speed, the Learjet was initially directed to increase its speed to 220 knots.
As the aircraft progressed toward the MATEO VOR, the separation between the two planes narrowed. At 18:44, the Learjet was approximately 5.7 nautical miles behind the Boeing 767. Although the controller instructed the Learjet crew to reduce their airspeed to 180 knots, there was a 16-second delay before the crew implemented the change. During this period, the distance between the aircraft closed to 3.8 nautical miles.
As the Learjet 45 entered the wake turbulence generated by the Boeing 767, the crew lost control of the aircraft. The plane entered an uncontrolled descent and struck the intersection of Monte Pelvoux and Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca Avenues. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate. The accident resulted in 9 fatalities on board the aircraft and 7 fatalities on the ground. Additionally, the crash caused damage to several buildings, destroyed approximately 20 vehicles, and left 40 injuries among people on the ground, some of whom sustained serious harm.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered wake turbulence from a preceding Boeing 767-300.
- A delay in executing speed reduction instructions contributed to the loss of separation.