Fatal Medical Transport Plane Crash Kills Four in Northern Arizona

A small medical transport plane crashed and caught fire on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, killing four people. The Beechcraft King Air 300, operated by CSI Aviation, was transporting two pilots and two health care providers from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to pick up a patient in Chinle. The cause of the crash is unknown, and the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating.

A small medical transport plane crashed and caught fire on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, resulting in the deaths of four people. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon near the Chinle Municipal Airport, where the Beechcraft King Air 300, operated by CSI Aviation, was attempting to land. The plane, en route from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was carrying two pilots and two healthcare providers who were planning to pick up a patient from the federal Indian Health Service hospital in Chinle.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene, and recovery operations are ongoing. The patient's location and condition remain unknown.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed his heartbreak over the incident, stating that the crew members were dedicated to saving others and their loss is deeply felt across the Navajo Nation. CSI Aviation has confirmed the deaths and extended condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the people killed. The company is cooperating fully with the investigation and has stated that safety is their highest priority.

Medical transports by air from the Navajo Nation are common due to the lack of advanced or trauma care in most local hospitals. The Chinle airport is one of a handful owned and operated by the tribe on the vast 27,000-square-mile reservation that stretches into Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by medical transport services in remote and underserved areas. It also underscores the importance of thorough safety investigations to prevent future accidents.

References:
[1] https://www.4029tv.com/article/medical-plane-crash-navajo-nation-arizona/65608704
[2] https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/plane-crash-dead-navajo-nation/2025/08/06/id/1221442/
[3] https://abcnews.go.com/US/chinle-airport-plane-crash-medical-transport/story?id=124394659