What happened
On April 8, 2009, at approximately 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Eurocopter AS350B2 crashed in mountainous terrain in Mexico. The aircraft, registration XC-MIN, had departed from Culiacan International Airport in Sinaloa, Mexico, for an aerial photography mission.
The wreckage was located several hours later near the town of Cubiri, situated near the highest mountain in the area. The accident resulted in 3 fatal injuries, as the pilot and two passengers were killed. The helicopter was destroyed in the crash.
The investigation
The helicopter engine was secured and transported to the Turbomeca Engines facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, for examination. The investigation into the accident falls under the jurisdiction of the Government of Mexico.