Narrative:
A Skyvan transport plane was destroyed when it crashed into the highest mountain in Mexico, the Pico de Orizaba Volcano. All four on board were killed.
Impact was at an elevation of about 18,200 feet at the El Púlpito part of Pico de Orizaba while the elevation of the mountain top is 18,491 feet.
Minimum altitude over mountains terrain in that area was 21,000 feet.
» El Siglo de Torreon 1 August 1998, p.2
» Mountaineering: Pico de Orizaba, Mexico
| Status: | |
| Date: | Thursday 23 July 1998 |
| Type: |  Shorts SC.7 Skyvan 3-100 |
| Operator: | Fuerza Aérea Mexicana |
| Registration: | XC-UTQ |
| MSN: | SH.1946 |
| First flight: | 1976 |
| Engines: | 2 Garrett TPE331-2-201A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Pico de Orizaba ( Mexico)
|
| Crash site elevation: | 5547 m (18199 feet) amsl |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Mexico City International Airport (MEX/MMMX), Mexico |
| Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport (TGZ/MMTG), Mexico |
A Skyvan transport plane was destroyed when it crashed into the highest mountain in Mexico, the Pico de Orizaba Volcano. All four on board were killed.
Impact was at an elevation of about 18,200 feet at the El Púlpito part of Pico de Orizaba while the elevation of the mountain top is 18,491 feet.
Minimum altitude over mountains terrain in that area was 21,000 feet.
Sources:
» Scramble 235, 237» El Siglo de Torreon 1 August 1998, p.2
» Mountaineering: Pico de Orizaba, Mexico
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 Mexico City International Airport to Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport as the crow flies is 688 km (430 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Mexico City International Airport to Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport as the crow flies is 688 km (430 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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