5 fatalities

Fatal Post-Maintenance Test Flight Crash Near Santiago de Querétaro (XA-UKP)

Santiago de Querétaro, MexicoTakeoff (climb)

On June 2, 2015, a Swearingen SA226 Metro II (registration XA-UKP) operated by Aeronaves TSM was involved in an aviation accident near Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico during takeoff. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control of the aircraft in flight for undetermined reasons. No mechanical failure was found on the aircraft and its components that could affect the normal operation of the airplane. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft crashed into a motorway 11 km southwest of Santiago de Querétaro Airport during a post-maintenance test flight, killing all five occupants.

Incident Overview and Flight Details On 1421 local time, a twin-engine aircraft departed runway 09 at Santiago de Querétaro Airport for a post-maintenance test flight. The aircraft was carrying three engineers and two pilots. The crew received clearance to climb to flight level 125 (FL125). As the aircraft approached 12,000 feet, it entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into a motorway located 11 kilometers southwest of the airport. The impact caused the aircraft to burst into flames, and the wreckage was completely destroyed by the impact forces and the subsequent post-crash fire. All five occupants on board were killed in the accident.

Probable cause

Loss of control of the aircraft in flight for undetermined reasons. No mechanical failure was found on the aircraft and its components that could affect the normal operation of the airplane. Contributing factors included a lack of coordination and effective communication between ground staff and the flight crew, inadequate supervision of operations by the operator, and a lack of a safety culture within the operator.