Mexico City – Los Angeles

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.

Flight / Schedule

Mexico City – Los Angeles

Aircraft

Douglas DC-4

Registration

XA-FOW

MSN

10493

Year of Manufacture

1944

Date

June 25, 1946 at 12:00 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

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On June 25, 1946 at 12:00 AM, Mexico City – Los Angeles experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-4, 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.

47 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 47 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 42, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. 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.

Aircraft reference details include registration XA-FOW, MSN 10493, year of manufacture 1944.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

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.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

5

Passengers On Board

42

Estimated Survivors

47

Fatality Rate

0.0%

Known people on board: 47

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Mexico City – Los Angeles

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

Aircraft

Douglas DC-4

Registration

XA-FOW

MSN

10493

Year of Manufacture

1944

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.

June 29, 1929 at 12:00 AM

Mexicana de Aviación

Fairchild 71

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

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.