Accident: Aeromexico Connect E190 at Durango on Jul 31st 2018, veered off and overran runway after rejected takeoff and burst into flames
An Aeromexico Connect Embraer ERJ-190, registration XA-GAL performing flight AM-2431 from Durango to Mexico City (Mexico) with 99 passengers and 4 crew, rejected takeoff from Durango's runway 03 in adverse weather at about 15:15L (20:15Z), but veered left off the runway, overran the end of the runway and burst into flames in viewing distance of the airport's apron. The aircraft was destroyed, there are no fatalities, 2 people received serious, 83 people received minor injuries. Some occupants already gave TV interviews within 2 hours after the accident.
The airline confirmed their aircraft had an accident at Durango, the airline is currently collecting information. Initially reporting there 97 passengers and 4 crew on board the airline later stated there were 99 passengers including two infants and 4 crew on board. XA-GAL was 10 years old and had operated for Aeromexico since 2014.
The local governor reported the aircraft was about to take off when the aircraft suffered an accident. There have been no fatalities, there are a number of injuries that are currently being taken care of.
The State Health Department reported 18 people with injuries were taken to a local hospital about 18km from the airport.
Local Emergency Services reported they transported 27 people with injuries to various public and private hospitals in the area.
The local governor subsequently reported there were no fatalities, 85 of 101 occupants received injures, two of them serious injuries.
Mexico's DGAC reported an investigation commission has been formed. Of the 103 occupants on board of the aircraft 49 are in hospital treatment.
A runway inspection, driving in opposite direction of runway 03 from runway end to runway threshold, shows both engines off the left hand side of runway 03 (to the right hand of the runway inspection vehicle, see video below), the aircraft coming to a stop past the runway end.
Ground observers reported the aircraft suffered an engine (CF34) failure at about V1, veered left off the runway and came to a stop to the left of the runway and past the runway end.
A passenger reported the aircraft was accelerating for takeoff but did not succeed becoming airborne. Once the aircraft came to a stop it took about 3-4 minutes until the aircraft burst into flames enabling the occupants to evacuate the aircraft.
Another passenger reported the aircraft was hit by lightning.
WebCams of Mexico with their Panorama Camera in Durango filmed the storm as it moved across the city.
On Aug 1st 2018 Mexico's Ministry of Transport (SCT) reported the aircraft failed to take off and never became airborne, but veered off the runway and ran through rough terrain causing substantial damage to the aircraft including both engines detaching from the airframe. The crew immediately initiated an evacuation of the aircraft after coming to a stand still before a fire broke out consuming the aircraft. The airport resumed operation on Aug 1st 2018.
On Aug 1st 2018 Mexico's DGAC reported the black boxes have been recovered and are being sent for read out. The evacuation was completed within 90 seconds. 22 people are still in hospital care, almost all of them are estimated to be released home on Aug 2nd.
Related NOTAM:
A4297/18 - AIRPORT CLSD. 31 JUL 21:54 2018 UNTIL 01 AUG 04:50 2018. CREATED: 31 JUL 21:56 2018
Metars:
MMDO 312150Z 12007KT 10SM BKN020CB BKN025 OVC200 22/14 A3023 RMK 8/903 BINOVC=
MMDO 312103Z RTD 28007KT 7SM OVC015CB 17/14 A3024 RMK SLP118 57014 956 8/9// PISTA CERRADA POR ACFT ACCIDENTADA BINOVC=
MMDO 312018Z 07003KT 7SM TSRA BKN020CB 20/13 A3023 RMK 8/900 TSRAB13=
MMDO 311941Z 01005KT 10SM BKN025CB 28/10 A3023 RMK 8/300=
MMDO 311844Z 12003KT 12SM BKN025TCU BKN200 26/11 A3026 RMK 8/201 ISOL CB=
MMDO 311741Z 36007KT 12SM FEW025 SCT200 25/12 A3029 RMK SLP112 57004 903 8/101 HZY=
MMDO 311646Z 00000KT 10SM SCT200 22/13 A3030 RMK 8/001 HZY=
MMDO 311544Z 30006KT 10SM SCT200 20/13 A3030 RMK 8/001 HZY=
Passenger video left hand side:
Passenger video right hand side:
Runway inspection opposite to takeoff direction:
Storm moving across Durango
Aerial overview of accident site
XA-GAL after the accident:
Map
https://avherald.com/h?article=4bbcb11c&opt=256