2019 Coahuila Bombardier Challenger crash
 A Bombardier Challenger similar to the aircraft | |
| Occurrence | |
|---|---|
| Date | 5 May 2019 |
| Summary | Loss of control during severe turbulence |
| Site | NW of Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 601-3A |
| Aircraft name | Bombardier Challenger 601-3A |
| Operator | Compañía de Aviación y Logística Empresarial |
| Registration | N601VH |
| Flight origin | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Destination | Monterrey, Mexico |
| Occupants | 13 |
| Passengers | 11 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Fatalities | 13 |
| Survivors | 0 |
On 5 May 2019 a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A crashed near Monclova, Coahuila in Mexico after losing control in severe turbulence. All 13 people on board were killed.[1]
Background
[edit]The plane took off from Las Vegas with passengers reportedly returning from attending a boxing match on the afternoon of 5 May 2019 and was to land at Monterrey, northeastern Mexico.[2] However, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft over Coahuila.[3] Contact with the aircraft was lost about 150 nm (280 km) from the northern Mexican city of Monclova.[1] The plane subsequently crashed into terrain and all 13 occupants were killed.
According to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency, the accident was caused by “a loss of control due to a rapid climb and inversion caused by severe atmospheric instability, inducing both engines to shut down” and "inability of the aircraft’s [weather] radar to provide information for an undetermined reason.”[4]
According to Aviation Safety Network, the crew had been approved permission to climb to FL390. Nine minutes later the aircraft entered the green zone of the weather system, which caused the turbulence to increase with vertical acceleration values ranging between 1.40 and 0.68 g. The crew then requested to climb to FL410, which was the maximum certified operating altitude for the aircraft. This request was also approved by Monterrey International Airport. The aircraft entered the core of the most intense part of the weather system where turbulence began to become more severe and soon got to higher altitudes, rolled and nose dived. It then impacted terrain at an elevation of 1088 m.[5][6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sarsfield, Kate (7 May 2019). "PICTURE: Investigators probe Challenger 601 crash in Mexico". Flight Global. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ "13 Feared Dead As Private Jet Crashes In Mexico". Channels Television. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ "Bombardier Challenger 601 crashes in northern Mexico". AeroTime. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ Gilbert, Gordon (21 May 2022). "Loss of Control During Severe Turbulence Caused Challenger Crash". Aviation International News. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ "Informe Final" (PDF) (in Spanish). Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 601-3A N601VH Monclova". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 17 January 2023.