Investigation Summary
The accident occurred as Reynosa was experiencing torrential rain and the remnants of Hurricane Keith. While regional reports cited winds up to 60 km/h, METAR data at the time of the accident (17:00) recorded significantly lower westerly winds at 5 mph (8 km/h) with haze. The flight crew conducted a non-precision approach that became inaccurate, resulting in the aircraft being too high and too fast as it crossed the threshold. The DC-9 finally touched down approximately 900 to 1,000 meters into the 1,900-meter runway. The combination of the late touchdown, excessive speed, and a waterlogged runway surface led to hydroplaning, which rendered the braking systems ineffective. The aircraft exited the end of the runway, struck trees, and plowed into a residential area. Although the fuselage broke into three sections, no fire broke out, which likely contributed to the total survival of those on board. The investigation highlighted that Reynosa's runway was one of the shortest commercial strips in Mexico, which left little margin for error in adverse weather.
Final Conclusions
The investigation by the Subsecretaría de Transporte (SCT) concluded that the primary causes were pilot error and adverse weather. Specifically, the crew executed a high approach with excessive speed, leading to a long landing on a waterlogged runway. The presence of standing water caused the aircraft to depart the opposite runway threshold after braking systems failed to decelerate the plane in the remaining distance.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Alejandro Corzo, age 50. Had numerous regular landings at Reynosa since 1983.
Systems & Failure Modes
Braking System
The aircraft's wheel brakes and spoilers were unable to stop the plane due to the late touchdown and hydroplaning on the waterlogged runway.
Flight Data Recorders
Both recorders were recovered the day after the crash and provided data regarding the high approach speed and touchdown point.
Interesting Facts
- 01All 88 people on board survived the crash, but four people on the ground (a mother and three children) were killed.
- 02The aircraft was a 30-year-old DC-9-31 leased from Wells Fargo Bank Northwest.
- 03The runway at Reynosa was 1,900 meters long, considered one of the shortest for commercial operations in Mexico at the time.
- 04The area was under the influence of the remnants of Hurricane Keith, which had weakened to a tropical depression.
- 05The aircraft was written off due to structural damage after breaking into three sections.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Ground Compensation
Aeroméxico provided compensation to the families of the ground fatalities and for the destruction of local housing.