MD Helicopter 369 accident near Mexicali, Mx, March 13, 2017
On March 13, 2017 at about 11:00 pm local time, a MD Helicopter 369, registered XCPEP, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Mexicali. 5 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
- March 13, 2017 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mexicali, Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- MD Helicopter 369 FF
- Registration
- XCPEP · no longer on the register · serial 0079FF
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 13, 2017, about 1600 hours pacific daylight time, a MD Helicopters model 369FF single-engine helicopter, serial number 0079FF, Mexican registration XC-PEP, collided with high-voltage power lines while maneuvering near Mexicali, Mexico. The pilot and 4 passengers were fatally injured. The local flight departed General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada International Airport (MMML), near Mexicali, 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 (DGAC) Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes Boulevard Adolfo López Mateos No. 1990, piso 4 Colonia Los Alpes, Tlacopac Delegación Álvaro Obregón Codigo Postal 01010 Ciudad de México México Telephone: (55) 5011-6413 E-mail: cidaiac@sct.gob.mx Website: http://www.sct.gob.mx/transporte-y-medicina-preventiva/aeronautica-civil/inicio/
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- 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 | 4 |
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.