Narrative:
The takeoff run from runway 07R was aborted, but the DC-8 crashed and burned.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The probable cause of the accident was the unnecessary discontinuing of the takeoff as a result of the action by the check-pilot, who was not in either pilot seat, in reaching forward without warning and pulling the throttles back This action caused power to be decreased on all four engines. Contributing factors were the marginally poor weather, snow on the runway, and the possibility of the pitot head heat not have been on."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 19 January 1961 |
| Time: | 20:17 |
| Type: | Douglas DC-8-21 |
| Operator: | Aeronaves de México |
| Registration: | XA-XAX |
| MSN: | 45432/105 |
| First flight: | 1960 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 529 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney JT4A- |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 9 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 97 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 106 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY (IDL) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY (IDL/KIDL), United States of America |
| Mexico City-Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX/MMMX), Mexico | |
| Flightnumber: | 401 |
The takeoff run from runway 07R was aborted, but the DC-8 crashed and burned.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The probable cause of the accident was the unnecessary discontinuing of the takeoff as a result of the action by the check-pilot, who was not in either pilot seat, in reaching forward without warning and pulling the throttles back This action caused power to be decreased on all four engines. Contributing factors were the marginally poor weather, snow on the runway, and the possibility of the pitot head heat not have been on."
Accident investigation:
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Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY to Mexico City-Benito Juárez International Airport as the crow flies is 3342 km (2089 miles).
Distance from New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY to Mexico City-Benito Juárez International Airport as the crow flies is 3342 km (2089 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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DC-8
- 556 built
- 2nd loss
- 2nd fatal accident
- 2nd worst accident (at the time)
- 38th worst accident (currently)
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