N345MC Learjet 25 crash in Mexico Mexican fatal accident

[bizjets101]

Wreckage found in Mountainous Region north of Mexico City . . .
INVESTIGATING CRASH
NUEVO LEON Mexico
The Ministry of Communications and Transport, through the Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA), initiated investigations into the alleged crash N345MC-registered aircraft owned by Starwood Management, which took place today in the morning, in the state of Nuevo Leon.

The Learjet left Monterrey at 03:15 pm and was bound for the Toluca airport. The aircraft lost contact with the radar at a distance of 61.8 miles from Monterrey and coordinates 24,45,50 N 99,52,18 W.
It began the search protocol corresponding to 04:40 hours with the help Two helicopters and a plane.

Among the missing pilots are Miguel Perez and Alejandro Torres and passengers, whose name was recorded as: Jenny Rivera Dolores Saavedra, Alberto Rivera Saavedra, Mario Macias, N. Jacob and Gerardo Llenares.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport reiterates that it will continue with the
course of investigations.

Wreckage being reported as found, no survivors. Click Here for NTSB previous accident from 2005. Aircraft first flew in 1969 and was delivered to Kickerillo Corporation (Houston) in Feb 1971.


photo MichealD/Flickr


Passenger Rivera tweeted this photo with the missing Lear just before departure.

[bizjets101]

This is the accident from 2005 in Texas - I noted my link above didn't work?

AMA - Amarillo International 10/27/2005 - no injuries

The 7,300-hour captain reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that approximately 30 miles from the airport he noticed the left wingtip fuel tank was "heavy." He started to transfer fuel, and then stopped the transfer due to being on approach and preparing to land. After being cleared for a visual approach to Runway 04 (13,502 feet long by 300 feet wide grooved concrete runway), the pilot stated that he was able to trim the airplane for "hands off." During the final approach, the pilot noted that the airplane "would not bank to the right without almost full right aileron." The airplane "started raising right wing as full aileron was applied, even with the first officer assisting." At this point, the pilot added that the right wing stopped coming up, but would not go level.

The captain further reported that he elected to land rather than add full power and go-around, instead of risking a potential roll situation. The captain added that "alignment to runway was off due to right wing." Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway striking a runway distance marker.

The first officer reported to an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the landing fuel load was as follows:

Left Wingtip Tank: 600 pounds
Left Wing Tank: 1,100 - 1,300 pounds
Fuselage Tank: 400 - 500 pounds
Right Wing Tank: 1,000 - 1,200 pounds
Right Wing Tip Tank: 300 - 400 pounds

Maintenance personnel at a repair facility in San Antonio, Texas, where the airplane was ferried for maintenance, stated that they were not able to find any discrepancies in the fuel transfer system.

At 1141, the automated surface observation system at AMA reported wind from 130 degrees at 17 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet, temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point 13 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.09 inches of Mercury. The runway was reported as dry during the time of the mishap.

[bizjets101]

Okay, now the story just got stranger . . .

1st the accident, seems the pilot was 78 years old and it is being questioned whether the co-pilot had a valid license to be flying IMC or passengers ??? Captains ID showing age.

The crash site, unsure of what altitude Lear was add, I did read 35,000 feet with rapid descent to collision at 9,000 feet (mountain) or if they were low and CFIT - fact however the high speed impact - the Lear and passengers were fragment and the wreckage strewn for over 1000 feet in a forward trajectory.

Now the stranger part - the alleged owner of the Lear - was sentenced to two years in California State Prison for doctoring aircraft records and according to the National Post is none other than the guy that had arranged to transport Gadaffi's son - in which the Canadian woman was arrested and charged ...

National Post story


N345MC fragmented

[bizjets101]

Updates,

- NTSB on scene and conducting a foreign investigation ( 1 of 30 now under way)

- two police officers charged with stealing personal items from the crash site

- ongoing investigation who leaked actual video of body parts in the crash site, including a foot with toenails painted still in the wreckage

- Captain 23000 hours, 10000 in Lear's including instruction and carried all valid certificates, Captains age 78, co-pilots age 20

- aircraft plunged near vertical from just below 280 will climbing to 350 impacting the mountains below, wreckage completely fragmented

- aircraft entered Mexico on Aug 31 and was given up to 6 months to remain in Mexico

- aircraft was being operated privately (not charter) on behalf of a pending sale to Jenni Rivera (or at least that how it was written up)

- there have been several Lears that have plummeted very similar to this crash over the years ie'

- N51DB Learjet 25XR Saudi Arabia; Crashed into mountainous area in a steep nosedown and right wing low attitude. Elevator and hinges were not found at the crash site; the horizontal stabilizer trim jackscrew was near full nose down

- N125NE Learjet 25D Florida (illegally disconnected mach overspeed warning)(common in old Lears) Lost control at FL430 after encountering clear air turbulence and crashed in a steep high speed descent

- N25TA Learjet 25 Texas Lost control at FL412 after encountering clear air turbulence and crashed in a steep high speed descent

and there are others . . .