ASN Aircraft accident Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II XA-SLU Uruapan Airport (UPN)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Monday 13 June 1994
Time:18:45
Type:Silhouette image of generic SW4 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II
Operator:Aero Cuahonte
Registration: XA-SLU
MSN: TC-401
First flight: 1981
Total airframe hrs:17737
Engines: 2 Garrett TPE331-10UA-511G
Crew:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7
Total:Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:5,9 km (3.7 mls) NNW of Uruapan Airport (UPN) (   Mexico)
Crash site elevation: 1200 m (3937 feet) amsl
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Lázaro Cárdenas Airport (LZC/MMLC), Mexico
Destination airport:Uruapan Airport (UPN/MMPN), Mexico
Narrative:
The Metro II passenger plane, operated by Aero Cuahonte, was destroyed when it struck a high ground after trying to land Uruapan Airport, Mexico. Visibility at the airport was limited, so the controller instructed the flight to carry out an instrument approach. The flight crew however insisted in attempting a visual approach to runway 02. This approach was abandoned due to limited visibility. The pilot then executed a right-hand procedural turn to attempt another approach to runway 02. This approach was abandoned as well. The pilot now attempted to visually line up with runway 20 by making a left-hand turn. This was contrary to the approach procedures at Uruapan. The aircraft then impacted a mountain at 3937 ft (1200 m).

Weather at Uruapan was reported as: visibility 4nm; half cloudy ceiling at 800 ft; clouds at 1200 feet and overcast at 2000 feet.

Probable Cause:

Probable cause: "Not complying with the established procedure of turning right, after a failed approach."

Accident investigation:

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Investigating agency: SCT Mexico
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 94 days (3 months)
Accident number: 070/94
Download report: Final report

Classification:
VFR flight in IMC
Non-adherence to procedures
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain

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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 Lázaro Cárdenas Airport to Uruapan Airport as the crow flies is 155 km (97 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.

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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Metro

  • 684 built
  • 40th loss
  • 15th fatal accident
  • 5th worst accident (at the time)
  • 9th worst accident (currently)
» safety profile

 Mexico
  • 41st worst accident (at the time)
  • 49th worst accident (currently)
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