An investigation has been launched into the fatal crash on 5 May of a Bombardier Challenger 601 in northern Mexico.
The chartered, large-cabin business jet – registration N601VH, with the serial number 5043 – had departed Las Vegas, Nevada at 14:52 local time carrying 13 occupants bound for Monterrey. It failed to arrive at its destination, prompting a search.
La Voz De Monclova/handout/EPA-EFE/RexShutterstock
The wreckage of the aircraft, which is owned by US firm TVPX Aircraft Solutions, was discovered in a remote mountainous area in the municipality of Ocampo, Coahuila. There were no survivors.
Bombardier confirms that the Challenger 601 went missing about 150nm (280km) from the northern Mexican city of Monclova.
Expressing its "sincerest sympathies to all those affected by this accident", the airframer says it has been in touch with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, and "will work with the investigating authorities as required".
Mexico's Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics is leading the probe, Bombardier says.
According to data from flight tracking company Flightaware, the Challenger was en route at a cruising altitude of 37,000ft. At 18:25 local time the aircraft climbed to 39,000ft and maintained that altitude for 5min before climbing again towards 41,000ft. The last automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast data point recorded by Flightaware is at 18:37, when the aircraft was at 40,925ft.
Source: Flight International
