NTSB Clarifies No Cause Determined in New Mexico Medevac Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a public clarification on its investigation into the May 14, 2026, crash of a Beechcraft King Air C90 air ambulance near the Lincoln/Capitan Mountains in New Mexico, following a viral social media post that blamed the U.S. military for the accident. The NTSB confirmed four people were killed and stressed that no probable cause or contributing factors have been established.

Preliminary Findings on GPS Jamming

In its preliminary report, the NTSB disclosed that military GPS-jamming operations were active over a significant portion of New Mexico at the time of the flight. The crew had received a preflight briefing indicating GPS could be unavailable due to activity at White Sands Missile Range. Air traffic controllers subsequently contacted military personnel after multiple aircraft reported GPS outages in the area — a detail that fueled the speculation behind the viral post.

Investigation Ongoing

The NTSB cautions that the inquiry remains open and that preliminary findings do not constitute conclusions. Rep. Gabe Vasquez noted in July 2026 that progress had been slowed by the Seven Cabins Fire burning near the crash site. The case has amplified broader concerns about civil-military airspace coordination in the region, particularly in light of other airspace closures tied to counter-drone testing near El Paso.