What happened
On December 14, 2004, an Aero Commander AC-685 twin-engine aircraft, operating under the registration XB-GSG, crashed near Apodaca in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The flight departed from Monterrey Del Norte Airport at approximately 12:25 CST, bound for McAllen-Miller International Airport in Texas, with a planned final destination of Houston. The flight was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) within visual meteorological conditions.
During the flight, the aircraft was reportedly attempting to return to the airport when the pilot experienced a loss of control. The plane struck the terrain, and the resulting impact and subsequent fire completely destroyed the wreckage. There were 5 fatalities in total, consisting of the two commercial pilots and three passengers.
Findings
Local authorities reported that the accident occurred while the aircraft was maneuvering near the Monterrey VOR (ADN). The wreckage was identified on the 350-degree radial of the Monterrey VOR, approximately 2.3 nautical miles from the station. The primary factor in the destruction of the aircraft was the impact with terrain following the loss of control during flight maneuvers.