Investigations are continuing into the accident that saw an Aeroméxico aircraft crash during take-off at General Guadalupe Victoria International Airport in the city of Durango on Tuesday.
The Embraer E190AR (Flight AM2431) was leaving for Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City when it crashed. There were no fatalities among the 103 passenger and crew, although there were injuries. All were able to exit the aircraft before it caught fire in a field on the outer limits of the airport.
The aircraft, registration XA-GAL, was delivered in May 2008 and has been operated by the airline since 2014. Embraer has deployed a team of technicians to the scene of the accident, it says.
Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte, the operator of Durango International Airport, attributed the cause of the accident to bad weather conditions. Aeroméxico stated there were 97 passengers and four crew members on board, and that it was still working with the corresponding authorities for the medical attention of the passengers and crew. “We are focusing on addressing this situation and will do whatever is necessary to assist the families of our clients as well as our crew in these difficult times,” it said.
The airline added that it is “closely collaborating with the relevant authorities, particularly with the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), to establish the causes of this accident.”
Eye-witness and passenger reports suggest a gust of wind hit the aircraft shortly after take-off, causing it to lose speed and hit the ground with its left wing. Both engines were knocked loose, with the plane skidding into the nearby field. Escape slides were activated so that all the passengers and crew were able to escape before the plane caught fire. The pilot is reported to be in a serious condition after suffering burns.
Written by: Mark Thomas
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