Investigation Summary
The aircraft was performing a human rights monitoring mission for MINUGUA, the United Nations body responsible for verification in Guatemala. The helicopter was carrying human rights monitors when it impacted mountainous terrain in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes range near the village of Pajuil de Aguacatán. The flight was operated by Alpine Helicopters, a Canadian company contracted to provide rotary-wing support. Search and rescue efforts were hampered by the remote, high-altitude location of the crash site.
Final Conclusions
The accident resulted in the total loss of the Bell 212 airframe. Five individuals on board—staff members from Australia, Bolivia, Guatemala, Spain, and Uruguay—were killed, while four others survived the impact with injuries. The crash occurred in the rugged Sierra de los Cuchumatanes region during a mission for the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala. While the exact cause was not definitively stated in available summaries, the impact occurred in mountainous terrain during a period of active mission operations.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Bell 212 Rotor System
A two-blade, semi-rigid all-metal main rotor system used for medium-lift utility operations.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Bell 212 registered in Canada as C-GAHW.
- 02The flight was operated by Alpine Helicopters under contract for the UN mission MINUGUA.
- 03The accident occurred in the municipality of Aguacatán, Guatemala.
- 04Five people on board were killed and four survived the crash.
- 05The victims included staff from Australia, Bolivia, Guatemala, Spain, and Uruguay.
Location
APPROXIMATE POSITION · AIRPORT LEVEL · Coordinates are the estimate published in the entered by an editor. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.