Piper PA25 accident near Etchoropo, Sonora, Mx, March 12, 2017
On March 12, 2017 at about 8:50 pm local time, a Piper PA25, registered XBFHP, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Etchoropo, Sonora. 1 person was 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
- March 12, 2017 · about 8:50 pm local time
- Place
- Etchoropo, Sonora, Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Piper PA25 235 · all PA25s on the register
- Registration
- XBFHP · no longer on the register · serial 25-2647
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 12, 2017, at 2050 hours universal coordinated time, a Piper PA25-235 airplane, Mexican registration XB-FHP, impacted terrain near Etchoropo, Sonora, Mexico. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces.The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC). This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by or obtained from the government of Mexico. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) Secretariat of Communications and Transportation Blvd. Adolfo López Mateos 1990, piso 4 Col. Los Alpes Tlacopac, Del. Álvaro Obregón Codigo Postal 01010 México, D.F. Mexico Tel.: (52) 55 5723-9400 E-mail: cidaiac@sct.gob.mx
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.