A preliminary investigation report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has found that military GPS jamming activities were taking place at the same time as a deadly plane crash in New Mexico’s Capitan Mountains area. The crash, which occurred on May 13, resulted in the deaths of all four people on board.
Investigation Details
The plane, which was operated by Trans Aero MedEvac, was flying from Roswell to the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport in Ruidoso to pick up a patient. The report found that the plane had two types of tracking equipment, Spidertracks and ADS-B, which had consistent data but with some discrepancies in altitude readings.
The report also noted that there were large gaps in the recorded ADS-B data. Just before midnight, the flight left Roswell and received clearance to fly to the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport. However, the U.S. military had scheduled GPS-jamming activities in the area, which the pilots were aware of.
At midnight, air traffic control informed the plane that it was flying 1,000 feet above its assigned altitude. The pilot responded that they were fixing their altitude and that the plane had lost GPS capability. Air traffic control then asked the military to stop the GPS jamming, and the plane started turning.
Despite the efforts to assist the plane, it crashed into the Capitan Mountains, resulting in the deaths of all four people on board. The NTSB report highlights the potential risks of military GPS jamming activities and their impact on civilian aviation.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
