Friday, May 9, 2025

Helicopter’s fall was ‘unusual,’ say transportation officials

The manner in which a helicopter fell in a crash that killed the governor of Puebla was described today as unusual by federal transportation officials.

The Italian-made Agusta helicopter plunged almost vertically and upside down on December 24, killing Martha Erika Alonso, her husband the ex-governor, an assistant and two pilots.

“Yes, it was unusual, it was not normal [and] it is one of the things that catches the eye,” said transportation undersecretary Carlos Alfonso Morán Moguel.

The fall was “almost vertical, at 60 degrees, and furthermore inverted,” he said.

Another unusual factor was that the heads of several bolts on the main rotor had had their heads sheared off, but investigators have concluded that the impact of the aircraft hitting the ground was the cause.

Transportation Secretary Javier Jiménez Espriú said the cause of the accident remains unknown. The investigation has not been able to determine if it was a mechanical failure, human error or weather.

Illustration prepared by the Transportation Secretariat demonstrates how the helicopter fell.
Illustration prepared by the Transportation Secretariat demonstrates how the helicopter fell.

Authorities are now waiting for the results of studies of various components of the helicopter that are being carried out in Italy, the United States and Canada.

Source: Milenio (sp), Reforma (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Pope Leo XIV in full regalia waves from a balcony

Habemos papam: Mexico hails the election of Leo XIV, the first US pope

0
Only the second pope from the Americas, Robert Prevost is a fluent Spanish speaker with dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru.
Indigenous midwives in Chiapas

Chiapas midwives denounce laws limiting access to birth certificates

0
Chiapas midwives say the new National Midwifery Registry and NOM-020 rules undermine traditional practices and hinder newborn birth registration.
Pemex boats tow floating booms to clean up an oil spill

Pemex confirms reports of oil spill at Olmeca refinery marine terminal

1
Local fishermen reported damage to marine wildlife and tourism services were canceled at the nearby Playita El Mirador.