A small medical plane crashes near Ruidoso, New Mexico, killing all four people on board, according to multiple reports. The crash occurs in or near a mountainous area outside Ruidoso before dawn, with officials stating that the cause of the crash is not yet known.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is also involved. One report says the flight departs from Roswell Air Center and was headed to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport.
The crash also sparks a wildfire in the surrounding forest. Local officials and agencies work to manage the fire amid hot, dry, and windy conditions. One source reports the blaze grows to about 35 acres by midday, and county officials coordinate with the U.S. Forest Service to contain it.
Rescue and fire-management efforts continue while investigators determine what led to the crash.
