Incident Overview
A light aircraft conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) approach to Ciudad Acuña-El Bonito Airport experienced an accident on short final. The flight had been uneventful prior to the approach. Weather conditions were reported as good, with visibility of 9 kilometers and an outside air temperature of +30° C. The pilot was aligning with runway 28.
Sequence of Events
During the final approach segment, the pilot descended too low. The aircraft impacted terrain five meters short of the runway threshold. Upon impact, the aircraft bounced, then rolled for several dozen meters before veering off the left side of the runway. The aircraft came to rest in a wooded area near the airfield.
Occupant Status and Damage
All six occupants on board evacuated the aircraft safely. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and was declared beyond repair.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined that the accident occurred after the pilot lost situational awareness while completing a visual approach below the glide path, causing the aircraft to strike the ground five meters short of runway 28 threshold. The following contributing factors were identified: overconfidence on the part of the pilot, an unstabilized approach, and a lack of visual aids at the airport.