Accident Overview
On August 5, 2025, about 1245 mountain daylight time, a Beech 300, registration N534AW, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Chinle, Arizona. The airplane was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 positioning flight. The pilot, co-pilot, and two medical crew members were fatally injured.
Flight Path
The airplane departed Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 1155. It climbed to 18,000 ft mean sea level (msl) and proceeded direct to Chinle Municipal Airport (E91), Chinle, Arizona. About 1229, the airplane began a descent. About 1239, it entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg for runway 36. About 1240, while at about 6,600 ft, the airplane turned right and entered the base leg. The last radar data point recorded the airplane at about 6,100 ft, approximately 2.8 miles southeast of the runway 36 threshold.
Witness Statement
A witness located about one-quarter mile from the airport observed the airplane on a northbound heading over the runway at about 180 ft above ground level (agl). The left wing banked erratically multiple times, then leveled off, at which point the airplane pitched up. Subsequently, the left wing dropped into a knife-edge attitude, and the airplane descended to the ground, immediately erupting in flames.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane impacted open terrain about 990 ft west of runway 36 at an elevation of approximately 5,510 ft. A path of disturbed terrain and vegetation extended about 281 ft from the main wreckage and included multiple airframe components. A postaccident fire thermally damaged the fuselage and wings.
A cockpit voice recorder was recovered from the airplane and shipped to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for download. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.