What happened
During an approach to Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport, the flight crew encountered heavy fog that significantly reduced visibility. Because the runway could not be visually identified, the captain performed a go-around. During a subsequent landing attempt, the aircraft failed to maintain the proper glide path on short final, resulting in the plane touching down significantly further down the runway than intended.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft could not decelerate sufficiently within the available runway length and overran the pavement. As the plane moved onto soft ground, the left main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft continued to slide for approximately 500 meters before striking an ILS antenna, an impact that caused the left wing to be severed from the fuselage. A fire subsequently broke out, damaging a portion of the left side of the aircraft. All 112 occupants were successfully evacuated from the wreckage, with only one passenger sustaining minor injuries.
Findings
- The initial approach was hampered by poor visibility caused by fog.
- The aircraft landed too far down the runway during the second approach attempt.
- The collision with airport infrastructure led to structural failure and a post-crash fire.