Early today, a DC-9-15 freighter (registration number N199US) operated by Michigan-based on-demand carrier USA Jet Airlines has crashed at Saltillo, Mexico. Information about the accident is still sketchy at this time, however the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an advisory minutes ago stating that an NTSB team is being dispatched to assist the Mexican authorities with the accident investigation.In that advisory, the NTSB said that the aircraft crashed on approach to the Saltillo Airport, Saltillo, Mexico, at about 2:15 a.m. EDT, on July 6, 2008. According to the NTSB, there were two crew members aboard the cargo plane. The captain was killed and the first officer was critically injured. There are no reported injuries on the ground.
A Spanish language website, Vanguardia, has posted an article about the DC-9 crash in Saltillo, along with a photo of the accident aircraft. The freighter appears to have been completely destroyed, with its fuselage broken apart and burned. The Vanguardia article says that the aircraft crashed to the north of the airfield.
I will post updates about this accident here on Professional Pilot News when more information becomes available.
Condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the captain, and best wishes to the first officer for a full and speedy recovery from his injuries.
UPDATE July 7, 2008: The identity of the captain who was killed in the USA Jet Airlines DC9 accident in Mexico has been confirmed by his brother. Captain Lon McIntosh, 46, of Middletown, Ohio, was fatally injured in the crash. His brother, Chris McIntosh, who was quoted today in a news report posted to WNWO NBC24, said that Captain McIntosh had worked for the carrier for abut 10 years.
Although some Mexican media reports named the first officer, he has not yet been officially identified by the company or his family. He is said to be critically injured with serious burns but a company spokesman said, "We hear the prognosis is good."
UPDATE July 8, 2008: For those who wish to express condolences to the family of the pilot who died in the accident in Mexico, here is a link to an online condolences book for Capt. Lon McIntosh.
Crew has been tentatively identified as pilot John Macintosh and co-pilot Christopher Martin.
ReplyDeleteAccording to witness interviews, the craft appeared to be on approach to low and hit some power poles and lines.
More crash photos and on the scene updates are at http://mexicotrucker.com
And out condolences to the pilots family.
Fortunately, Saltillo and Monterrey to the east, has some world class medical facilities. No doubt the co-pilot is being well cared for.
Thank you for this information. The identity of the captain has been confirmed (see today's update on this article), but the identity of the F/O has not yet been officially announced.
ReplyDeleteWe all hope that the F/O is receiving good care, and that he will recover fully. Condolences to the McIntosh family.
Lonnie McIntosh. all around good guy.
ReplyDeleteLonnie was my flight instructor back in 1991. He taught me the basics of flying and led me up to my solo flight. He was a kind and patient instructor.
ReplyDeleteThough I hadn't seen him for 18 years, it really saddens me to hear of his untimely demise. I wish his family well.