Airbus Helicopters MBB BK117 accident near Tabasco, Mx, October 1, 2022
On October 1, 2022 at about 5:04 pm local time, a Airbus Helicopters MBB BK117, registered XBNWY, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Tabasco. It was flown under military rules. 3 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
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
- October 1, 2022 · about 5:04 pm local time
- Place
- Tabasco, Mexico
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Airbus Helicopters MBB BK117 C2
- Registration
- XBNWY · no longer on the register · serial 9653
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · military rules
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (hover) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 3 | 2 |
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.