MD Helicopter 600 accident near Guatemala City, Gt, February 7, 2017
On February 7, 2017 at about 12:53 pm local time, a MD Helicopter 600, registered N245SE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Guatemala City. It was flown under non-U.S. private rules. 4 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
- February 7, 2017 · about 12:53 pm local time
- Place
- Guatemala City, Guatemala · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- MD Helicopter 600 N
- Registration
- N245SE · no longer on the register · serial RN021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 7, 2017, about 1253 local time, a United States-registered MD 600N helicopter, N245SE, impacted terrain at the La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City, Guatemala. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Guatemala. Further information may be obtained from:Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil 9ºa. Avenida 14-75 Zona 13 Guatemala, Centro América Tel.: (502) 2 321-5234 / 5238 E-mail: sviaccidentes@dgac.gob.gt Fax: (502) 2 321-5235 AFTN: MGGTYOYX Telex: 3120 ACIVIL GU Cable: DAEROCIVIL Guatemala
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
- Ground collision during unknown defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 4,101 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royc 250-C47M (turboshaft); 0 hours total
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.