Chicago - Mexico City
Flight / Schedule
Chicago - Mexico City
Aircraft
Boeing 727-100Registration
XA-SEJ
MSN
19255/331
Year of Manufacture
1966
Operator
Mexicana de AviaciónDate
September 21, 1969 at 05:20 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Mexico City-Benito Juarez Federal District of Mexico City
Region
Central America • Mexico
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On September 21, 1969 at 05:20 PM, Chicago - Mexico City experienced a crash involving Boeing 727-100, operated by Mexicana de Aviación, with the event recorded near Mexico City-Benito Juarez Federal District of Mexico City.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
122 people were known to be on board, 27 fatalities were recorded, 95 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 22.1%.
Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 115, passenger fatalities: 22, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. 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.
Aircraft reference details include registration XA-SEJ, MSN 19255/331, year of manufacture 1966.
Fatalities
Total
27
Crew
5
Passengers
22
Other
0
Crash Summary
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.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
7
Passengers On Board
115
Estimated Survivors
95
Fatality Rate
22.1%
Known people on board: 122
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Chicago - Mexico City
Operator
Mexicana de AviaciónFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Central America • Mexico
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
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.
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.
Mexicana de Aviación
Fairchild 71
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Panama. Occupant fate unknown.
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.
Corporación Aeronautica de Transportes
Lockheed 5 Vega
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Monterrey and was destroyed by fire. Occupant fate unknown.
Government of the State of Yucatán
Sikorsky S-38
The seaplane named 'Mayab' crashed in unknown circumstances in Mérida, killing all five occupants.