Australia
US military GPS jamming preceded New Mexico medical plane crash
Federal authorities are investigating a medical plane crash in New Mexico that occurred during a military GPS jamming exercise.
A federal investigation has commenced in the United States after a medical aircraft crashed during a military GPS jamming exercise in the state of New Mexico. The plane was carrying four people, including two nurses and two pilots, when the incident occurred.
According to reporting by international wire services, the flight took place while the US military was actively jamming global positioning system signals in the region. Investigators are now working to determine whether the loss of GPS navigation directly contributed to the crash.
The details of the flight, including the operator of the medical aircraft and the specific health status of the four crew members on board, have not yet been fully disclosed by authorities. It is also unclear whether the aircraft was transporting a patient at the time, or if the flight was a positioning transit.
Military GPS jamming operations are periodically conducted in the United States, often to test defence systems or train personnel under simulated combat conditions. These exercises usually come with warnings to civilian aviators, but they can still pose significant challenges to navigation systems in light aircraft.
Federal investigators, including representatives from aviation safety watchdogs, are expected to examine the aircraft flight data recorders and review communication logs between the pilots and air traffic control. They will also look closely at the coordination between military planners and civilian aviation authorities regarding the jamming exercise.
Watch for investigators to release their preliminary findings on the exact timeline of the jamming exercise and its impact on the aircraft's navigation systems.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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