Mexico City - Miami

On July 30, 1987 at 05:03 PM, Mexico City - Miami experienced a crash involving Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter, operated by Belize Air International, with the event recorded near Mexico City-Benito Juarez Federal District of Mexico City.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a city crash site.

12 people were known to be on board, 65 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 541.7%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 8, passenger fatalities: 8, other fatalities: 54.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The four engine airplane departed Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport at 1700LT on a cargo flight to Miami-Intl, Florida, carrying eight passengers, four crew members and a load consisting of 18 racing horses. After takeoff, during initial climb, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain sufficient altitude. The crew elected to add power but the aircraft failed to gain height. The captain attempted an emergency landing on a road when the aircraft struck power lines and crashed in the city, few km from the airport. The aircraft as well as several houses and buildings were destroyed. The captain was rescued while 11 other occupants as well as 54 people on the ground were killed. 50 other people were wounded, some seriously.

Aircraft reference details include registration HI-481, MSN 16687, year of manufacture 1952.