Fatal New Mexico air ambulance crash followed GPS disruption, NTSB finds

A fatal New Mexico air ambulance crash followed the loss of GPS capability during an overnight patient-retrieval flight, with the crew also operating without automated weather observations or a terminal forecast at the destination, according to the preliminary report released by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

A Beechcraft C90 operated by Generation Jets in partnership with Trans Aero MedEvac crashed near Lincoln, New Mexico, at about 00:15 hrs local time on 14 May, killing both pilots and two flight nurses. The aircraft was flying from Roswell to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport in Ruidoso to collect a patient for transport to Albuquerque.

The NTSB’s report says US military GPS jamming was active across the area. The flight crew reported the aircraft had “lost GPS capability” and subsequently requested an instrument landing system (ILS) approach after being unable to use GPS navigation.

Three other aircraft also reported GPS loss during the period, indicating the disruption extended beyond the accident flight.

The crew later reported they had “a visual on Ruidoso” and were cleared for a visual approach. The aircraft descended towards the airport before striking terrain in the Capitan Mountains at about 9,950ft.

The incident highlights the need for robust contingency planning when GPS outages, limited weather information, or airport access issues affect time-critical patient retrievals, potentially requiring route changes, diversion decisions, alternative aircraft or coordination with other medical transport providers.

The NTSB also noted that Sierra Blanca’s automated weather system was out of service, while no Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METAR) or Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) was available to the crew.

The investigation remains preliminary and is subject to change.