Four people have died after a medical transport plane crashed in Arizona. The cause of the incident remains unknown.
According to a news release by the Navajo Police Department, a small dual-propeller medical transport plane crashed near Chinle Airport on Tuesday. The Beechcraft 300 caught fire after the impact, killing everyone on board.
Authorities reveal that the plane was en route to a nearby hospital to pick up a patient at the time. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the National Traffic Safety Bureau and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
The Navajo Police Department explains that the airport remains closed for investigative purposes. “The NPD Chinle District, Navajo EMS, and Navajo Nation Fire & Rescue Services is on scene, ” the release reads. “This is a tragic loss to the families of those onboard and to the medical air and first responder community.”
The Plane Company Has Released A Statement Following The Incident
Per a report by KRQE, Albuquerque-based CSI Aviation confirmed that two of their pilots and two healthcare providers died in the crash. They were reportedly part of air ambulance services. CSI Aviation also noted that nobody else was on board at the time.
According to a report by People, the NTSB told the outlet that they will begin documenting an investigation when they arrive at the scene. Officials are looking for details like flight data and maintenance records. The NTSB will also look at forecasted weather reports versus the actual weather, and a 72-hour condition report on the pilots.
Earlier this month, an Illinois Senator wrote to the FAA with concerns about plane evacuation safety. Senator Tammy Duckworth highlighted a few incidents this year, but one American Airlines evacuation procedure from July 13 was a focal point. The incident raised eyebrows across social media as one passenger recorded the process.
Footage shows the plane grounded on the runway with the rear landing gear in flames. The evacuation slides are down, and passengers leisurely leave the aircraft, clutching their luggage. Duckworth reportedly wrote, “Video showed passengers exiting with carry-on bags and, according to at least one passenger, the process took 10 to 15 minutes — the latter estimate exceeding FAA’s 90-second evacuation standard by 10 times.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has since addressed the incident, saying he was “disappointed” that passengers ignored instructions by flight attendants.