MD Helicopter 369HS accident near La Morita, Mx, November 22, 2017
On November 22, 2017 at about 10:37 pm local time, a MD Helicopter 369HS, registered XCTIJ, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near La Morita. It was an aerial observation flight under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were 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
- November 22, 2017 · about 10:37 pm local time
- Place
- La Morita, Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- MD Helicopter 369HS
- Registration
- XCTIJ · no longer on the register · serial 920414S
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 22, 2017, about 1437 pacific standard time, a MD Helicopters 369HS single-engine helicopter, serial number 920414S, Mexican registration XC-TIJ, crashed while providing aerial support for police activity near La Morita, Mexico. The pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The local flight departed Tijuana International Airport (MMTJ), near Tijuana, 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
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
- Operator: City Of Tijuana
The flight
- Departed from: MMTJ Tijuana
- Destination: MMTJ Tijuana
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- 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.