Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Atemajac de Brizuela, Mx, April 2, 2016
On April 2, 2016 at about 9:20 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N565AC, was destroyed in an accident near Atemajac de Brizuela. It was flown under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt.
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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 2016 · about 9:20 pm local time · cases in 2016
- Place
- Atemajac de Brizuela, Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II II
- Registration
- N565AC · registry record · serial 11785
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On April 2, 2015, about 2120 universal coordinated time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II helicopter, N565AC, impacted terrain near Atemajac de Brizuela, Mexico. The pilot and two passengers were uninjured and one passenger sustained a serious injury. The helicopter was destroyed. The aircraft originated from the Guadalajara International Airport, near Guadalajara, Mexico. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC). This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by or obtained from the government of the Mexico.Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes Providencia No. 807 - 6o piso Colonia del Valle Codigo Postal 03100 México, D.F. Mexico
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
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Guadalajara
- Destination: Atemajac de Brizuela
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N565AC on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 1,044 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN16WA149.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.