GPS Failure During Military Exercise Likely Caused Fatal Air Ambulance Crash, NTSB Preliminary Report Finds

A fatal New Mexico air ambulance crash on May 14 likely resulted from the crew losing GPS navigation during a U.S. military-scheduled jamming exercise, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The incident has sparked concerns about the preparedness of civilian aviation for potential electronic warfare disruptions.

The Beech King Air air ambulance crew reported losing GPS capability minutes after departing Roswell, New Mexico, for a flight to Ruidoso. The U.S. military was conducting a planned GPS-denial exercise in the area around White Sands Missile Range, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had warned could disrupt satellite navigation across a wide radius.

Air traffic controllers twice requested the military suspend the jamming exercise to assist the flight. Three other aircraft in the vicinity also reported GPS outages. Despite receiving assistance, the aircraft later descended and struck the Capitan Mountains, resulting in the deaths of both pilots and two flight nurses.

The NTSB has not definitively determined whether the GPS interference caused or contributed to the crash, but the preliminary report highlights the sequence of events following the reported loss of navigation.

This crash occurs amid growing warnings from aviation authorities globally about the increasing hazard of GPS interference. The FAA now advises pilots to be prepared to fly without GPS, stating that intentional jamming is a “greater and growing concern.” The UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization has also cautioned that interference can affect aircraft far beyond conflict zones.

Industry data cited by the FAA indicates a 65% increase in reports of GPS loss in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year. This interference can lead to pilots deviating from flight paths, misreporting their position, losing situational awareness, and struggling with transitions to backup navigation systems.

Todd Humphreys, director of the University of Texas’ Radionavigation Laboratory, suggested that the technology in many FAA-certified cockpit GPS receivers may not have kept pace with evolving jamming threats. He noted that some consumer devices, like smartphones, may possess more resilient GPS receivers than older certified aviation systems.

While illegal consumer GPS jammers exist, military electronic warfare systems are designed for broader denial of satellite navigation to support training in combat-like conditions. The FAA had warned that the disruptions from the May exercise could extend hundreds of miles.

Humphreys contends that while newer GPS technology has improved its resilience to interference, aviation certification processes have been slow to adapt to these evolving threats. This sentiment is echoed by international regulators who have warned of increasing GPS jamming and spoofing incidents posing safety risks across multiple flight regions.

Paul Deres, vice president of operations at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute, emphasized the importance of pilot preparation and proficiency, noting the diverse range of avionics available in the general aviation fleet. He added that technology can and does fail.

European regulators have updated guidance for pilots and air traffic controllers in response to rising GPS interference. The FAA stated it issues notices about planned GPS disruptions and maintains backup navigation systems.

GPS interference has become a significant challenge in parts of Europe and the Middle East, often linked to regional conflicts. Humphreys suggested that aviation safety might have peaked some years ago, citing the rise of GPS jamming, spoofing, and hybrid warfare tactics.

While such interference is less common in U.S. airspace outside of military testing, an incident in March 2025 near Washington D.C.'s Reagan National Airport involved false collision alerts that forced go-arounds, later revealed to be triggered by counter-drone testing by the Secret Service and U.S. Navy.

Humphreys believes that as drones become more prevalent, GPS jamming will increase as a counter-drone tactic. He urged for faster modernization of aviation technology, including better receivers and antennas, to enhance flight safety, particularly in light of national states using jamming to protect against drones. He expressed concern that U.S. regulators are not adapting quickly enough to the changing environment.