Mexico: Technical Troubles Behind Copter Crash, Not Explosives

The first round of investigation of the Monday’s helicopter crash in Mexico show no traces of explosives and authorities say the accident was a result of technical difficulties.

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"The Ministry of the Navy has reported that its experts in the field of fire and explosives, after an analysis of the wreckage of the aircraft, found no explosives or substances foreign to the fuel that caused the explosion in the recent aircraft accident," said Alfonso Durazo, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection.

During an evening press conference, Durazo said police experts are still at the scene and will keep the public informed, reporting the case developments with complete transparency to avoid any speculation.

The country continues to mourn the passing of Martha Erika Alonso, a senior opposition figure and the new governor of the central state of Puebla, who died with Rafael Moreno, a senator and the former governor of the same state, when their helicopter came down near Puebla city, local media reported.

Television images showed the remains of an aircraft in flames, a plume of smoke and people who showed up at what appeared to be the scene.

According to Undersecretary of Transportation Carlos Moran, air traffic control services lost contact with the flight team minutes after takeoff and despite nine attempts to re-establish communication, the helicopter crashed down in Tlaltenango at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time.

Officials report the helicopter was part of a private Canadian company which offers “air taxi” services. Statistics show the majority of aviation accidents are from private aircraft services, Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) said, attributing the high incident level to the lax regulations surrounding the industry.