Four people were killed Tuesday afternoon when a medical transport plane crashed near Chinle, Arizona, while en route to pick up a patient.
The aircraft, a Beechcraft King Air 300 operated by CSI Aviation of Albuquerque, New Mexico, went down just before 12:45 p.m. local time near Chinle Municipal Airport on the Navajo Nation. The plane was not carrying a patient at the time but was headed to retrieve one from the Indian Health Service facility in Chinle.
All four people on board—two pilots and two medical personnel—were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not yet released their names but confirmed none were residents of the local area.
Emergency crews, including Navajo police, fire, and EMS teams, responded quickly to the site after reports of thick black smoke rising near the airport. The cause of the crash is still unknown.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation to determine what led to the fatal accident.
CSI Aviation expressed deep condolences in a statement, calling it a heartbreaking loss for the families and the broader medical aviation community. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren also issued a message of sympathy, honoring the crew for their dedication to saving lives.
Chinle Airport, located in a remote area of the Navajo reservation, remained closed temporarily while investigators examined the wreckage. The reservation spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, and relies heavily on air medical services due to its vast and rural landscape.
