NEED TO KNOW
Four people died in a plane crash in Chinle, Ariz., on Tuesday, Aug. 5
The plane was a medical transport aircraft heading to pick up a patient at a nearby hospital, the Navajo Police Department said in a news release
All four people were not local to the area, but have yet to be identified
Four people died after a medical transport plane crashed in Chinle, Ariz.
A small dual-propeller medical transport plane crashed and caught fire near the Chinle Airport at approximately 12:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Aug. 5, the Navajo Police Department (NPD) said in a Facebook news release.
The plane was on the way to pick up a patient from a nearby hospital when the deadly crash took place.
All four individuals were non-local, but have yet to be publicly identified.
The NPD confirmed that next of kin notifications were made by the aircraft company, CSI Aviation, of Albuquerque, N.M.
The cause of the crash is unknown at this time, the NPD continued. As of publication, all access to the airport is shut down amid the ongoing investigation. The NPD Chinle District, Navajo EMS, and Navajo Nation Fire & Rescue Services are currently on the scene.
https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf
"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.
Navajo Police Department/Facebook
Medical transport plane crashes near Chinle Airport, claims four livesNever miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
The NTSB tells PEOPLE that agents are heading to the scene and will begin documenting an investigation once they arrive Tuesday evening. The agency plans to gather details like flight track data, maintenance records for the Part 135 aircraft, weather forecasts and actual conditions, 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 safety operate the flight."
The NTSB and the FAA will continue investigating the incident, the FAA said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.
Read the original article on People
Comments