Aeroméxico Flight 230

Aeroméxico Flight 230 experienced a hard landing at Chihuahua International Airport on July 27, 1981. Thirty-two people were killed when the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 jet aircraft was heavily damaged by impact with the ground and fire on approach in high winds.

Aircraft involved
The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32, registered as XA-DEN with MSN 47621/729. At the time of the crash, it was 7 years old.

Accident sequence
The flight was uneventful until landing at Chihuahua. There were isolated cumulonimbus clouds with strong squalls and showers during approach and landing. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced once and struck the ground; the aircraft then slid off the runway, broke up and caught on fire. Thirty-four passengers and crew were able to flee the wreckage; the smoke and fire caused the deaths of those that remained trapped.