Durango – Léon – Mexico City
Flight / Schedule
Durango – Léon – Mexico City
Aircraft
Douglas DC-3Registration
XA-GEE
Operator
Servicio Aéreo PaniniDate
December 28, 1947 at 12:00 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
León Guanajuato
Region
Central America • Mexico
Coordinates
16.1300°, -93.0236°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On December 28, 1947 at 12:00 PM, Durango – Léon – Mexico City experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-3, operated by Servicio Aéreo Panini, with the event recorded near León Guanajuato.
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.
10 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 80.0%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 3.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from León-Guanajuato-Del Bajio Airport, the crew informed ground that an engine failed and received the authorization to return for an emergency landing. While completing a last turn, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that stalled and crashed in a residential area located near the airport. Both pilots, three passengers and three people on the ground were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration XA-GEE.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 16.1300°, -93.0236°.
Fatalities
Total
8
Crew
2
Passengers
3
Other
3
Crash Summary
Shortly after takeoff from León-Guanajuato-Del Bajio Airport, the crew informed ground that an engine failed and received the authorization to return for an emergency landing. While completing a last turn, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that stalled and crashed in a residential area located near the airport. Both pilots, three passengers and three people on the ground were killed.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
7
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
80.0%
Known people on board: 10
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Durango – Léon – Mexico City
Operator
Servicio Aéreo PaniniFlight 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
Aircraft
Douglas DC-3Registration
XA-GEE
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.
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.
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.