A medical transport plane crash in northeastern Arizona has resulted in the deaths of four people. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon at Chinle Municipal Airport, according to authorities. The Beechcraft 300, a dual-propeller aircraft, was landing when it crashed and subsequently caught fire around 12:40 p.m.
The plane was on a mission to pick up a patient from a nearby hospital at the time of the accident. All four individuals on board were medical personnel, as confirmed by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, "These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, and their loss is felt deeply across the Navajo Nation. We honor their service, their sacrifice, and the love they showed our communities through their work."
Navajo police have not released the names of the deceased, but they noted that none were local residents. The aircraft was owned by CSI Aviation, a company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company has informed the next of kin about the tragedy. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Access to the airport has been restricted as authorities conduct their investigation. The Navajo Police Department released a statement expressing condolences, saying, "This is a tragic loss to the families of those onboard and to the medical air and first responder community. We extend our deepest condolences to their family and loved ones during this time."
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing.