Medical Plane Crashes in NM Mountains, Killing 4, Sparking Fire

A medical transport plane crashed into the rugged Capitan Mountains outside Ruidoso, New Mexico, before dawn on Thursday, killing all four people aboard and igniting a wildfire in the surrounding forest, officials confirmed.

The aircraft, operated by Trans Aero MedEvac, had departed Roswell Air Center en route to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport on a medical transportation mission. Communications and radar contact were lost, prompting the company to report the plane overdue. The crash occurred around 4 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time in steep, rocky terrain within Lincoln National Forest. Rescue crews located the wreckage between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. but had to hike the final half-mile to reach the remote site.

All four victims were flight crew and medical personnel, according to Lincoln County Manager Jason Burns. Their names have not been released. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the families, loved ones, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident," Burns said at a news conference.

The impact sparked a blaze that grew to 35 acres by midday amid dry conditions and strong winds, prompting a red flag fire warning for the area. Burns expressed concern...