Four people have died following the crash of a medical transport plane in Chinle, Arizona.
According to a Facebook news release from the Navajo Police Department (NPD), the small dual-propeller aircraft went down and caught fire near Chinle Airport at around 12:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
Authorities said the plane was en route to pick up a patient from a nearby hospital when the fatal incident occurred. All four victims were non-local, and their identities have not yet been released. The NPD confirmed that next-of-kin notifications were handled by the aircraft’s operator, CSI Aviation of Albuquerque, N.M.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. As of Tuesday afternoon, access to the airport has been shut down. The NPD Chinle District, Navajo EMS, and Navajo Nation Fire & Rescue Services are assisting at the scene.
“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 NPD wrote.
A spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told PEOPLE that investigators are heading to the scene and will begin documenting evidence Tuesday evening. They plan to collect flight track data, maintenance records for the Part 135 aircraft, weather information, witness statements, and a 72-hour background on the pilot “to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safely operate the flight.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it will work alongside the NTSB as the investigation continues.
