Robinson R44 accident near Salinas Victoria, Mx, January 21, 2017
On January 21, 2017 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered XACSJ, was destroyed in an accident near Salinas Victoria. 2 people were killed.
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
- January 21, 2017 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Salinas Victoria, Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- XACSJ · no longer on the register · serial 12502
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On January 21, 2017, about 1800 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, XA-CSJ, impacted terrain near Salinas Victoria, Mexico. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed by impact and fire damage. The aircraft originated from Municipio Bustamante. 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 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
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 |
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.
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.