11 fatalities

Twin-engine aircraft crashes near San Andrés Tuxtla during heavy rain (XA-BAS)

San Andrés Tuxtla, MexicoFlight

On August 12, 1938, a Lockheed 10 Electra (registration XA-BAS) operated by Mexicana de Aviación was involved in an aviation accident near San Andrés Tuxtla, Mexico in flight. 11 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain resulting from adverse weather conditions linked to a regional hurricane. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft impacted a mountain slope near San Andrés Tuxtla while cruising at 11,000 feet in heavy rain, resulting in the deaths of all 11 occupants on board.

What happened

The incident occurred during a flight segment from Villahermosa to Veracruz. The crew communicated their position to air traffic control shortly before the event. While cruising at an altitude of 11,000 feet, the aircraft encountered heavy rainfall. During this period, the twin-engine plane struck the slope of a mountain situated near San Andrés Tuxtla.

The impact forces resulted in the destruction of the airframe. All 11 occupants on board were killed in the accident.

Findings

Official investigations determined that the crash was the result of a controlled flight into terrain. Adverse weather conditions, specifically those associated with a hurricane affecting the region at the time, almost certainly caused or contributed to the collision.

Probable cause

Controlled flight into terrain resulting from adverse weather conditions linked to a regional hurricane.