San Mateo Atenco Aircraft Accident (2025)

San Mateo Atenco Aircraft Crash (2025) was an aviation accident that occurred on 16 December 2025 in the settlement of San Mateo Atenco, located in the State of Mexico, when a private jet en route from Acapulco crashed during an attempted emergency landing, resulting in the deaths of all 10 people on board. The incident took place in an industrial area approximately five kilometers from Toluca International Airport.

San Mateo Atenco aircraft crash, 16 December 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Location and Time of the Incident

The crash occurred in an industrial zone in San Mateo Atenco, approximately 50 kilometers west of Mexico City, and about five kilometers from Toluca International Airport. The incident happened during the afternoon hours of Monday, 16 December 2025. The area where the aircraft came down is adjacent to a football field and contains commercial and industrial buildings.

Aircraft Characteristics and Flight Details

The aircraft involved in the crash was a twin-engine business jet of type Cessna 650 Citation III (CE-650). It had departed from Acapulco on Mexico’s Pacific coast and was en route to Toluca International Airport. Approximately half an hour after takeoff from Acapulco, the crew reported an emergency situation while approaching Toluca.

Sequence of the Accident

According to official statements, the aircraft contacted Toluca Air Traffic Control during flight to report a technical problem. The pilots attempted to land the aircraft in a suitable area for an emergency descent. It was reported that the crew attempted to steer the aircraft toward a football field but were unable to reduce speed sufficiently.

The aircraft collided with a metal-roofed building or maintenance workshop wall near the football field. The impact triggered an explosion followed by a large-scale fire. It was reported that thick black smoke rose into the sky after the crash and that the incident was visible from areas surrounding the airport.

Loss of Life and Persons on Board

There were a total of eight passengers and two crew members on board the aircraft. All 10 individuals on board perished in the crash. Among the victims were three children, aged 2, 4 and 9 respectively.

According to identities released by authorities, the deceased were:

• Natalia (2)
• Raúl (4)
• Ximena (9)
• Gustavo Palomino Olet (50)
• Ilse Lizeth Hernández Téllez (32)
• Raúl Gómez Ruiz (60)
• Raúl Gómez Buenfil (31)
• Olga Janine Buenfil Cardone (60)
• Juan Carlos Olivares Casas (pilot, 61)
• Walding Sánchez Manzano (co-pilot, 72)

It was reported that a significant portion of the passengers belonged to the same family.

Fire and Evacuation Process

The explosion and fuel-fed fire that followed the impact affected a wide area within the industrial zone. Approximately 130 people in the vicinity were evacuated as a precaution by the San Mateo Atenco Municipal Civil Protection unit and the State of Mexico Civil Protection authorities.

Authorities stated that a four-block area was temporarily secured due to the presence of diesel containers and gas tanks in the vicinity. No civilian access was permitted until the fire was brought under control. It was confirmed that no workers were present in nearby businesses at the time of the incident and that there were no casualties on the ground.

Official Statements

Adrián Hernández, Coordinator of Civil Protection for the State of Mexico, stated that the aircraft had been attempting an emergency landing and that initially seven bodies were recovered, later confirmed as a total of ten fatalities.

San Mateo Atenco Mayor Ana Muñiz explained that the evacuation decision was taken due to the risk of fire spreading and was a preventive measure. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed during a press conference that all victims were members of the same family, including the two pilots.

Investigation Process

The investigation into the crash is being conducted by the Attorney General’s Office of Mexico (FGR). The Federal Civil Aviation Agency, the Unit for Analysis of Aviation Accidents and Incidents, forensic experts, and federal police units have been assigned to the case.

Authorities indicated in preliminary assessments that the crash may have resulted from a possible technical malfunction, but emphasized that the definitive cause will be determined only after completion of technical inspections and analysis of flight data. The investigation remains ongoing.