US: Four killed in medical plane crash on Navajo Nation

Four people have died after a medical transport aircraft crashed on Navajo Nation territory in the US state of Arizona, tribal police have confirmed.

According to the Navajo Nation Police Department, the small aircraft was en route to collect a patient from a nearby hospital when it came down near the town of Chinle shortly after midday on August 5, Caliber.Az reports per US media.

The crash occurred at approximately 12:40 local time (19:40 GMT), police said in a statement posted on Facebook.

“We extend our deepest condolences to their family and loved ones during this time,” the statement added.

The aircraft involved has been identified by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as a Beechcraft 300.

An investigation is now under way, with NTSB officials travelling to the site on July 5.

“Once on site, the investigators will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation,” said NTSB spokesperson Sarah Taylor Sulick.

By Aghakazim Guliyev