Cessna 421 accident near Oaxaca, Mx, October 6, 2008
On October 6, 2008 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Cessna 421, registered XBKWG, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Oaxaca (Xoxocotlan International Airpo airport). It was a business flight under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2008 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Oaxaca, Mexico · Xoxocotlan International Airpo · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Cessna 421 421C · all 421s on the register
- Registration
- XBKWG · no longer on the register · serial 421C-0095
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On October 6, 008 at approximately 1332 central daylight time (CDT) a Cessna 421C, Mexican Registration XB-KWB was destroyed while attempting to return to Xoxocotlan International Airport (OAX,) Oaxaca, Mexico to land . Both aircraft occupants sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft intended destination was Huatulco Airport (HUX), Huatulco, Mexico. At approximately 1327 the pilot radioed a request to return and land, on runway 01 at OAX. The runway was in use and the pilot initiated a left 360 degree low altitude turn for spacing. The aircraft impacted runway 01 left wing low and slid to the right side of the runway coming to rest approximately 342 feet from initial impact on a heading of 200 degrees. A witness in a Cessna 206 on final approach behind the accident aircraft indicated that the 421 was in a left steep turn trying to reach the runway when the left wing impacted right of the center line of Runway 01. On scene investigation by the DGAC with assistance from technical advisers from Cessna Aircraft and Teledyne Continental Motors indicated that the flaps where up and the landing gear down. There was no fire. The right propeller blades were separated from the hub and showed no signs of engine power. Only two blades from the left propeller were found. One blade was still attached to the hub. Both blades showed signs of engine power. Four propeller blade marks, 24" apart were found on the right side edge of Runway 01. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Mexico. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of Mexico. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) Direccion General de Aeronutica Civil (DGAC) Col. san Juan de Arrgon, 3-seccion Del. Venustiano Carrabza Mexico, D.F, Mexico c.p. 15620 Telephone: 55-2598-0138
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
Crew member
- Injury: fatal
Crew member
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Teledyne Continental Motors GTISO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Teledyne Continental Motors GTISO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Oaxaca
- Destination: Huatulco
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.