Mérida – Mexico City

After takeoff from runway 10, while climbing to an altitude of 300 feet, the pilot made a turn to the left heading 65° then continued climbing for about 400 to 600 feet when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion in the Calle 54 Sur Street, about two km north of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed, among them the Mexican Actor and Singer Pedro Infante who was acting pilot on this flight. A kid on the ground was also killed.

Flight / Schedule

Mérida – Mexico City

Registration

XA-KUN

Date

April 15, 1957 at 07:53 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Mérida Yucatán

Region

Central America • Mexico

Coordinates

20.9657°, -89.6311°

Crash Cause

Other causes

Narrative Report

On April 15, 1957 at 07:53 AM, Mérida – Mexico City experienced a crash involving Consolidated B-24 Liberator, operated by Transportes Aéreos Mexicanos - TAMSA, with the event recorded near Mérida Yucatán.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

3 people were known to be on board, 4 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 133.3%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 1.

The listed crash cause is other causes. After takeoff from runway 10, while climbing to an altitude of 300 feet, the pilot made a turn to the left heading 65° then continued climbing for about 400 to 600 feet when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion in the Calle 54 Sur Street, about two km north of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed, among them the Mexican Actor and Singer Pedro Infante who was acting pilot on this flight. A kid on the ground was also killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration XA-KUN.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 20.9657°, -89.6311°.

Fatalities

Total

4

Crew

3

Passengers

0

Other

1

Crash Summary

After takeoff from runway 10, while climbing to an altitude of 300 feet, the pilot made a turn to the left heading 65° then continued climbing for about 400 to 600 feet when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion in the Calle 54 Sur Street, about two km north of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed, among them the Mexican Actor and Singer Pedro Infante who was acting pilot on this flight. A kid on the ground was also killed.

Cause: Other causes

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

133.3%

Known people on board: 3

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Mérida – Mexico City

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Central America • Mexico

Aircraft Details

Registration

XA-KUN

Similar Plane Crashes

August 20, 1919 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Service - USAAS

De Havilland DH.4

The pilot, sole on board, was performing a training flight at the border between US and Mexico. In flight, the engine failed and the pilot was forced to attempte an emergency landing near Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The pilot was uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

April 9, 1929 at 12:00 AM5 Fatalities

Mexicana de Aviación

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.

November 4, 1929 at 12:00 AM4 Fatalities

Corporación Aeronautica de Transportes

Lockheed 5 Vega

En route from Matamoros to Mexico City and while overflying north of the State of Veracruz, the single engine aircraft hit the Cerro de Carbón located south of Papantla. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and all four occupants were killed. The aircraft was supposed to be registered XA-BHH but this registration was not taken up at the time of the accident.

May 27, 1930 at 12:00 AM

Corporación Aeronautica de Transportes

Lockheed 5 Vega

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Monterrey and was destroyed by fire. Occupant fate unknown.

September 9, 1930 at 12:00 AM5 Fatalities

Government of the State of Yucatán

Sikorsky S-38

The seaplane named 'Mayab' crashed in unknown circumstances in Mérida, killing all five occupants.

October 28, 1931 at 10:20 AM3 Fatalities

Corporación Aeronautica de Transportes

Ryan B-1 Brougham

The crew was completing a local training flight at Torreón Airport when the accident occurred in unknown circumstances. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.