Aeromexico DC-9-31 plane crash

The Aeroméxico McDonnell Douglas DC-9 was landing at Reynosa, Mexico, while very heavy rain associated with Tropical Storm Keith affected the airport. After touchdown, the crew was unable to stop the aircraft on the wet runway.

The DC-9 overran the end of the runway, crossed the airport perimeter and entered a residential area. It struck several structures before coming to rest. The occupants of the aircraft survived, but four people on the ground were killed.

Investigation findings

The Mexican authorities opened an investigation and the flight recorders were examined with outside technical assistance. However, among the public official sources consulted, we did not locate a final report from which a complete official cause could be quoted. The wet runway and heavy precipitation are established circumstances; aquaplaning, often mentioned in accounts of the event, should not be presented as the definitive conclusion without the final investigation report.