Four medical personnel killed in plane crash during patient pickup

On August 5, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in northeastern Arizona, where a small medical transport plane, a Beechcraft King Air 300, crashed while landing at the Chinle Municipal Airport, located within the Navajo Nation. The aircraft was en route to collect a patient from a nearby Indian Health Service hospital when it crashed. Eyewitness reports indicated that black smoke was seen rising from the area of the airport shortly after the crash. Subsequently, authorities confirmed that all four individuals on board, consisting of two pilots and two health care providers, tragically lost their lives in the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash to ascertain what led to the accident. Preliminary statements suggest that during the landing procedure, an unforeseen issue prompted the aircraft to catch fire, leading to the fatalities. Notably, the Navajo Police Department has stated that alerts regarding the incident began coming in around 12:44 PM MST, just minutes after the plane reportedly went down. The local community, alongside Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting the dedication and commitment of the individuals who consistently worked to provide critical medical services. President Nygren emphasized their roles as caregivers who dedicated their lives to saving others, and stated that their loss is profoundly felt throughout the Navajo Nation. The sacrifice of these individuals has underscored the vital role medical transport plays in regions where access to advanced medical care can often be limited. CSI Aviation, the company that operated the flight, has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased personnel and confirmed that they are cooperating fully with the investigation carried out by regulatory authorities. As the investigation progresses, the Chinle Municipal Airport remains closed off to all access, marking the area as a site of examination for determining the cause and contributing factors of this unfortunate event. Medical transport missions like this one are crucial, as they serve as a lifeline for remote regions where adequate medical facilities may be scarce, making this tragedy all the more heartbreaking for the communities it impacts.