Champion 8KCAB accident near Cancun, Mx, April 14, 2017
On April 14, 2017 at about 11:25 pm local time, a Champion 8KCAB, registered N65SE, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (aerobatics) near Cancun. It was an air show or air race flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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
- April 14, 2017 · about 11:25 pm local time
- Place
- Cancun, Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 8KCAB · all 8KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N65SE · no longer on the register · serial 988-2005
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Mexican government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Mexican government. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: DAAIA/DGAC/SCT: Ing. Jose Armando Constantino Tercero, Av. 602 No. 161, 1er piso, Col. San Juan de Aragón 3 Secc, Deleg. Venustiano Carranza C.P.15620, México, D. F. Area Jurídica, Extienda de ASA.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (aerobatics) defining event
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aviation M2 Cozumel LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Cozumel
- Destination: Cozumel
- Flight plan: none
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.