What happened
On January 23, 2021, a Sabreliner, registered as XB-JMR, departed Guadalajara, Mexico, bound for Queretaro. The aircraft was operated by a crew consisting of two pilots. While cruising at 20,000 feet, the flight crew altered their intended destination. Shortly after this change, the aircraft vanished from Mexican radar tracking. It is suspected by authorities that the transponder was deactivated during this period.
The aircraft subsequently entered the Kingston Flight Information Region without an active flight plan. At approximately 6:14pm local time, the crew issued an emergency declaration, notifying Air Traffic Control that they were flying at 1-0,000 feet, 14 miles from land, on a heading of 055 degrees. The crew reported that one engine had shut down and requested guidance to the closest airfield.
Radar tracking showed the aircraft moving northeast near the Vernamfield area before turning southeast. The plane was observed circling the Portland Cottage area in Clarendon, climbing from 17,000 feet while transmitting transponder code A1327. Search and rescue operations were launched by the Jamaica Defence Force at 6:22pm local time. At 6:34pm, the aircraft disappeared from radar again, likely due to the transponder being turned off. The Sabreliner struck the shoreline southeast of White Sand Beach at Rocky Point, Clarendon, at roughly 6:39pm local time.
Findings
An investigation conducted on January 24, 2021, by the Flight Safety Division's Operations and Airworthiness units noted that the wreckage had been subject to vandalism. Preliminary observations suggested the aircraft may have performed a gear-up and flaps-up landing. Evidence from the left-wing leading-edge slats indicated the aircraft was operating at a low airspeed and a possible high angle of attack during the impact.