Mexico City – Mérida

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.

Flight / Schedule

Mexico City – Mérida

Registration

XA-BAU

MSN

1041

Year of Manufacture

1937

Date

December 2, 1938 at 07:55 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Mexico City Federal District of Mexico City

Region

Central America • Mexico

Crash Cause

Human factor

Narrative Report

On December 2, 1938 at 07:55 AM, Mexico City – Mérida experienced a crash involving Lockheed 10 Electra, operated by Mexicana de Aviación, with the event recorded near Mexico City Federal District of Mexico City.

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

8 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. 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.

Aircraft reference details include registration XA-BAU, MSN 1041, year of manufacture 1937.

Fatalities

Total

8

Crew

3

Passengers

5

Other

0

Crash Summary

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.

Cause: Human factor

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

5

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 8

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Mexico City – Mérida

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Central America • Mexico

Aircraft Details

Registration

XA-BAU

MSN

1041

Year of Manufacture

1937

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