Arizona, United States: A medical transport aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Chinle Municipal Airport on the Navajo Nation, killing all four people on board, officials said Tuesday.
According to the Associated Press, the twin‑engine Beechcraft King Air 300, operated by Albuquerque‑based CSI Aviation, had been dispatched to Chinle to pick up a critically ill patient from the Indian Health Service hospital. It went down at about 12:40 p.m. local time on August 5 while on approach and caught fire on impact, leaving the aircraft completely destroyed.
Emergency crews from the Navajo Nation police and fire departments quickly responded to the scene, securing the crash site and temporarily closing Chinle Municipal Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have begun investigating the crash. Officials said the investigation will examine flight data, maintenance logs, weather conditions, and crew qualifications to determine the cause of the accident.
CSI Aviation confirmed to AZ Family that the aircraft was carrying two pilots and two healthcare providers at the time of the crash. There were no survivors. The identities of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of their families. It also issued a statement cited by People magazine, saying, “We are heartbroken by the loss of our colleagues and partners in medical service and extend our deepest sympathies to their families.”
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed condolences following the tragedy, describing it as “a devastating loss for our Nation and for the families of those who dedicated their lives to helping others,”. He highlighted the crucial role medical flights play in remote tribal communities, where air transport often serves as a lifeline for critically ill patients.
No patient was on board at the time of the incident. The aircraft had been dispatched to transport a critical patient to a higher‑level medical facility. Officials noted that the names of the victims will be released once families have been notified. A preliminary report from the NTSB is expected within two weeks, though a full investigation may take months.
