Robinson R44 accident near Puerto Chiapas, Mx, August 2, 2017
On August 2, 2017 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered XBMWZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Puerto Chiapas. 1 person was killed; 1 other was unhurt.
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
- August 2, 2017 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Puerto Chiapas, Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- XBMWZ · no longer on the register · serial 0916
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 2, 2017, about 2115 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, XB-MWZ, had a loss of engine power and subsequently impacted the Pacific Ocean near Puerto Chiapas, Mexico. Two persons were on board the helicopter. One person was reported as fatally injured and the other person as uninjured. The local helicopter flight originated from a fishing vessel. 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
- Loss of engine power (total) 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 | |||
| 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.