Bell 206 - L1 accident near Lake Peten Izta, Gt, August 7, 2015
On August 7, 2015 at about 11:28 am local time, a Bell 206 - L1 (helicopter), registered TGMIX, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lake Peten Izta. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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
- August 7, 2015 · about 11:28 am local time
- Place
- Lake Peten Izta, Guatemala
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 - L1 · all 206 - L1s on the register
- Registration
- TGMIX · no longer on the register · serial 45227
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 7, 2015, about 1128 Universal Coordinated Time, a Bell 206-L1, Guatemalan-registered TG-MIX, operated by Aereo Services, was substantially damaged when it impacted Lake Peten Itza, Guatemala. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was transporting cargo and personnel to an archeological site. The Guatemalan investigators received reports that the helicopter was climbing and was between 100 and 200 feet above the ground when it started to descend. The pilot attempted to return to the shoreline. The helicopter struck the water, inverted, and sank. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Guatemalan government. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Guatemalan government or Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC). Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Gobierno De Guatemala Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC) Aeropuerto International La Aurora Zona 13, Guatemala, C.A. 01013
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 lift during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,222 hours
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Lake Peten Izta
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.