A microburst likely was a major factor in the July 31 accident involving an Aeromexico Embraer E190 that went down as it was departing Durango, Mexico, with investigators reporting they have not found any mechanical anomalies or obvious errors made by the aircraft’s pilots.
In a Sept. 5 update on the probe, Mexico’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGCA) said investigators found evidence of a microburst above the airfield as the aircraft, operating as Aeromexico Connect Flight 2431, prepared for its scheduled departure to Mexico City. A short-duration storm moved in as the aircraft was taxiing out, changing the airfield’s conditions rapidly.
The three-person flight crew—which included a first officer in training who was sitting in the right seat and serving as the pilot flying—was not given any weather information that would have prompted them to consider delaying its departure, investigators said.
The factual information released by DGCA suggest the aircraft became unstable during or just after liftoff, with its left engine striking the runway’s edge. The aircraft was airborne briefly before coming down and continuing just past the runway end. All 99 passengers and six crew onboard survived…
