Register

Sabotage Ruled Out in Mexico City Learjet Crash

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Mexican investigators have ruled out sabotage as the cause of the Learjet 60 crash that killed all nine on board, including the country's Interior Minister.
  • The accident is primarily attributed to the Learjet encountering wake turbulence from a Boeing 767-300 on final approach.
  • A significant contributing factor was the Learjet pilots' slow response (up to a minute) to ATC requests to reduce their approach speed, leading them to fly dangerously close behind the larger aircraft.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Mexican aviation crash investigators have ruled out sabotage as the cause of the Learjet 60 accident that claimed all nine on board, including the country’s Interior Minister. There was concern that the accident could have been an act of sabotage, in part because the Interior Minister, Juan Camilo Mourino, had been a high-profile force in the government fight against drug traffic. The November 4 accident occurred on approach to Mexico City. The investigation points to a wake-turbulence encounter as the contract Learjet pilots took as much as a full minute to respond to ATC requests to slow their approach speed. As a result, they closed dangerously close to a Boeing 767-300 on final approach, leading investigators to believe the Learjet encountered its wake turbulence.

Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE