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April 8, 2009 · Eurocopter AS350B2 · XC-MIN

Cubiri, MX

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 2009
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Cubiri, MX
Aircraft
Eurocopter AS350B2
Tail Number
XC-MIN
Operator
Servicio Geologico Mexicano
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN09WA370

On April 8, 2009 at approximately 0800 pacific daylight time a Eurocopter single engine helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain after departing from the Culiacan International Airport, Sinaloa, Mexico. The mission was to take aerial photographs. Several hours later, the helicopter wreckage was located near the town of Cubiri near the highest mountain in the area. The pilot and the two passengers were killed and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter engine was secured and sent to Turbomeca Engines facility in Grand Prairie, Texas for further examination. 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

Full Narrative

On April 8, 2009 at approximately 0800 pacific daylight time a Eurocopter single engine helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain after departing from the Culiacan International Airport, Sinaloa, Mexico. The mission was to take aerial photographs. Several hours later, the helicopter wreckage was located near the town of Cubiri near the highest mountain in the area. The pilot and the two passengers were killed and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter engine was secured and sent to Turbomeca Engines facility in Grand Prairie, Texas for further examination. 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

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter AS350B2
Tail NumberXC-MIN
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorServicio Geologico Mexicano
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Arriel 1 · Turboshaft

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time14:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data