A Bell 412 helicopter crashed in the municipality of Topia, Durango on the afternoon of October 12, 2023.
The incident occurred after the helicopter refueled at the Air Operations Base in San José del Llano, Sinaloa, while en route to Canelas, Durango, according to an official statement subsequently issued by the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense.
The crash took place near the town of El Ventoso. All three occupants, namely two pilots and one soldier, were killed.
Personnel from Military Base 10 in Culiacán, Sinaloa, were then dispatched to the crash site aboard two Black Hawk helicopters.
Local news portals have reported that the helicopter hit a power line, though this has not been officially confirmed.
The Bell 412 is a twin-engine utility helicopter that has found widespread use in various roles, including civilian, military, and search and rescue operations. It is part of the Bell Huey family of helicopters, based on the UH-1 Iroquois. The Mexican Air Force currently operates a fleet of 10 Bell 412 helicopters.