2 fatalities

2006-09-15: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) (XB-JVH) — Private Mexico — Toluca, Mexico

Toluca, MexicoLanding (descent or approach)

On September 15, 2006, a Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) (registration XB-JVH) operated by Private Mexico was involved in an aviation accident near Toluca, Mexico during landing or approach. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. Investigations reported that a total of 8 liters of fuel remained in the tanks at the time of the accident. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 16 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781198627Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine aircraft on a private flight from Monterrey to Acapulco declared an emergency and diverted to Toluca. On final approach, the engine failed, causing a stall and collision with a fence. The aircraft crashed short of the runway. Two passengers were seriously injured; five others sustained minor injuries. Two occupants later died, including actor Pablo Santos.

Accident Overview

On the day of the accident, a single-engine aircraft departed Monterrey-Del Norte Airport at 0827 local time on a private flight to Acapulco. The aircraft carried six passengers and one pilot. Approximately three and a half hours into the flight, while at cruising altitude, the pilot contacted air traffic control, declared an emergency, and was cleared to divert to Toluca Airport.

Emergency and Sequence of Events

During the final approach to Toluca, the engine failed. The aircraft stalled, collided with a fence, and subsequently crashed in a deconstruction site located 1,600 meters short of runway 15. The aircraft was destroyed in the impact.

Injuries and Fatalities

Two passengers sustained serious injuries, while the other five occupants escaped with minor injuries. Hours after the accident, one survivor, Mexican actor Pablo Santos, aged 19, died from his injuries. A second survivor died the following day. Authorities later reported that Santos was seated on the floor and was not using a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the accident was caused by an engine failure resulting from fuel exhaustion. Investigators reported that only 8 liters of fuel remained in the tanks at the time of the accident.