Mexicana de Aviación

Boeing 727-200

The three engine aircraft departed Mexico City-Benito Juárez Airport at 0840LT on a regular schedule service to Los Angeles with two intermediate stops in Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán, carrying 159 passengers and a crew of eight. While cruising at the assigned altitude of 31,000 feet, an explosion occurred on the left main gear wheel well after a tire burst. Fuel and hydraulic lines were ruptured and electrical cables severed, causing a cabin decompression. The captain declared an emergency and elected to reduce his altitude when the aircraft caught fire after fuel ignited. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed on the slope of Mt San Andrés (3,569 meters high) located 18 km southwest of Maravatio, State of Michoacán. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 167 occupants were killed.

Boeing 727-100

Following an uneventful flight from Denver-Stapleton Airport, the crew started the descent to Mazatlán-General Rafael Buelna Airport. On short final, the airplane struck the ground, lost its undercarriage and came to rest about 1,500 meters short of runway threshold. All 123 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Boeing 727-100

On final approach to runway 23L at Mexico City-Benito Juárez Airport, the three engine airplane lost height and struck the ground about 1,5 km short of runway threshold. It bounced and became airborne again when the nose gear and the forward fuselage struck a railway embankment. Out of control, the airplane crashed and broke into several pieces near the runway threshold. 80 people were wounded while 15 others were uninjured. Five crew members and 22 passengers were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.

Douglas DC-6

Crashed on landing for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

Boeing 727-100

Following an uneventful flight from Mexico City, the crew started the descent to Monterrey-General Mariano Escobido Airport. In a visibility reduced by heavy rain falls, the crew initiated a turn to the left to intercept the glide. After passing over the Monterrey VOR, the aircraft descended with a rate of 1,500 feet per minute when, at a speed of 250 knots, it struck the slope of Cerro del Fraile located some 23 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 79 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 1,800 meters few hours later.

Douglas DC-6

On final approach to Mérida-Licenciado Manuel Crecencio Rejon Airport, the four engine aircraft stalled and crashed few dozen yards short of runway threshold. All 29 occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

The crew encountered thick fog while approaching Mexico City Airport. The airplane struck a hill located near Juchitepec, about 40 km south of Mexico City Airport, and crashed. All three crew members and five passengers were killed while ten other occupants were rescued.

Douglas DC-3

While descending to Talpa de Allende Airport in marginal weather conditions, the airplane hit the slope of the Cerro del Cabre located about 20 km northwest of the airport. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all 26 occupants were killed.

Douglas DC-6

On final approach to Mexico City Airport, the four engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the Texcoco Lagoon, few km short of runway. All 42 occupants were rescued but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Douglas DC-3

While cruising by night, the crew did not realize he was flying too low and did not distinguish the mountain. At 0600LT, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Cerro del Borrego located near Orizaba. All 17 occupants were killed.

Douglas DC-3

The pilot started the descent to Mexico City Airport when the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Popocatépetl, killing all 24 occupants.

Douglas DC-3

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Douglas DC-4

After takeoff from Mexico City International Airport, the crew informed ATC that the aircraft caught fire and elected to return. The captain realized this was not possible and attempted an emergency landing in a field located few km from the airport. On touchdown, the aircraft slid for several yards and came to rest in flames. All 47 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Douglas DC-2

While flying over Puebla, the crew informed ATC of his position and confirmed his altitude at 15,000 feet. Few minutes later, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Iztaccíhuatl located east of the capital city. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 16 occupants were killed.

Douglas DC-3

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate unknown as well.

Ford 5

En route, while flying over the State of Veracruz, pilots encountered very bad weather with heavy rain falls. Due to poor visibility, the captain decide to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the three engine aircraft crashed in a wooded area located near San Martín. While all 12 occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Lockheed 10 Electra

The takeoff procedure was started in poor visibility caused by foggy conditions. During the takeoff run, the aircraft deviated from the runway centerline and immediately after rotation, continued on a wrong track. Shortly after take off, while climbing to the wrong heading, the twin engine aircraft hit the Peñon de los Baños mountain located near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.

Lockheed 10 Electra

On the leg from Villahermosa to Veracruz, the crew informed ATC about his position. Shortly later, while cruising at an altitude of 11,000 feet in heavy rain, the twin engine aircraft hit a mountain and was destroyed by impact forces. All 11 occupants were killed.

Lockheed 10 Electra

Crew started the descent to Minatitlán Airport in low visibility due to bad weather conditions. The twin engine aircraft hit a mountain slope near Playa Vincente, some 130 km west of Minatitlán. All nine occupants were killed.

Lockheed 9 Orion

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Francisco Rueda, killing the pilot, sole aboard.

Lockheed 9 Orion

The pilot, sole on board, was performing a mail flight. While cruising, the single engine aircraft hit the Orizaba Peak located east of Ciudad Serdán, in the State of Puebla. The pilot was killed.

Ford 5

The three engine aircraft left Mexico City Airport at 1030LT for a charter flight to Guatemala City with a crew of four and 10 German tourists on board. While flying in the region of Amecameca de Juárez, the crew attempted to make a tour over the Popocatépetl volcano and National Park. While turning at low speed, the aircraft stalled and crashed, killing all 14 occupants. Crew: J. Preciado Acosta, pilot, Adrian Borchers, engineer, Adolfo Limón, radio operator, Daniel Madrigal, steward. Passengers: Prince Adolf zu Schaumburg-Lippe, Princess Ellen Elisabeth Schaumburg-Lippe, Baron Siegmund von Stieber, Mrs Dora Thein, Mrs Viktoria Thein, Baron Elmer von Roneczy, Adolf Franz Igler, Mrs Marie Margarethe Harder, Mrs Elisabeth Schroer, Mrs Lisebet Pust.

Fokker F10

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Fokker F10

Crashed upon landing for unknown reasons. There were no casualties.

Fairchild 71

Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Panama. Occupant fate unknown.

Ford 4

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 100 feet, one of the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed, killing all five occupants, among them pilot Dennis W. Taylor.