What happened
On August 5, 2025, at approximately 12:45 mountain daylight time, a Beech 300, registration N534AW, crashed near Chinle, Arizona. The aircraft was being operated by CSI Aviation Inc as a Part 135 positioning flight.
Radar and ADS-B data indicate the flight departed Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ) at approximately 11:55. After climbing to 18,000 feet MSL, the aircraft proceeded toward Chinle Municipal Airport (E9 91). The aircraft began its descent at 12:29 and entered the runway 36 traffic pattern on the downwind leg at 12:39. At 12:40, while at an altitude of approximately 6,600 feet, the aircraft turned onto the base leg. The final radar contact occurred at 6,100 feet, roughly 2.8 miles southeast of the runway 36 threshold.
A witness located near the airport observed the aircraft flying north at approximately 180 feet AGL. The witness reported seeing the left wing bank erratically several times before the aircraft pitched up and the left wing dropped into a knife-edge attitude, causing the plane to descend into the ground and ignite.
The aircraft struck open terrain approximately 990 feet west of runway 36 at an elevation of 5,510 feet. A trail of debris and disturbed vegetation extending 281 feet from the main wreckage was identified. A post-accident fire caused thermal damage to the wings and fuselage. The accident resulted in 4 fatal injuries, involving the pilot, co-pilot, and two medical crew members.