Four Identified in Fatal Air Ambulance Crash Near Ruidoso, NM
Ruidoso, NM (June 18, 2026) – On May 17, officials identified the four people killed in a fatal air ambulance crash near Ruidoso.
The crew included pilots Keelan Clark and Ali Kawsara of Generation Jets and flight nurses Sarah Clark and Jamie Novick of Trans Aero MedEvac. All four died when the aircraft hit the Capitan Mountains.
The flight left Roswell shortly before midnight on Thursday, May 14. The air ambulance was headed to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport in Ruidoso to pick up a patient but never arrived.
Minutes after takeoff, the crew reported losing GPS. A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report said scheduled military GPS jamming was taking place in the area.
Air traffic controllers asked the military to stop the jamming and tried to guide the aircraft by radar. The crew reported seeing Ruidoso, but controllers received no further transmissions.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft descending toward the Capitan Mountains. The plane hit the mountainside at about 9,950 feet and sparked a forest fire that crews later contained.
The weather was clear, but investigators noted dark skies with no moonlight. The weather observation system at Sierra Blanca Regional Airport was also out of service.
The investigation remains ongoing.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Keelan Clark, Ali Kawsara, Sarah Clark, and Jamie Novick.
Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Fatal Aviation Crash Near Ruidoso, NM?
After a fatal aviation crash near Ruidoso, the military, aircraft operator, airport authority, and equipment manufacturers may all face liability. Investigators must determine each party’s role. Liability depends on the evidence tied to their actions.
If military GPS jamming helped cause the navigation failure, the federal government may share liability. Claims against the military fall under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which has strict notice rules and deadlines. These cases work differently from standard wrongful death claims.
Because the aircraft operator manages crew training, maintenance, and flight safety, it may also face a claim. If the company failed to plan for GPS disruptions, that could strengthen a case. Equipment manufacturers may be reviewed as well.
When airport systems are out of service, the question of fault can expand. If the crew lacked critical data for a safe instrument approach, the airport authority may share responsibility. Each safety gap can point to another liable party.
Even if more than one party contributed to the crash, New Mexico’s pure comparative fault rule allows families to seek compensation from each responsible party. Each party’s share of blame is calculated separately. A claim may proceed against the military, the operator, or both.
Once the NTSB report is finalized, a wrongful death lawyer can use its findings to identify every party that may have played a role. An aviation attorney can file the required claims and meet strict federal deadlines. Legal guidance matters when government liability is involved.
At Will Ferguson & Associates, we’ve helped families across New Mexico in wrongful death and complex liability cases for years. Our team has the experience to handle claims involving government entities, aviation operators, and multiple responsible parties.
If your family lost a loved one in an aviation crash and needs guidance on what legal options may be available, call Will Ferguson & Associates at (505) 308-1458. We can review the facts of your case and help you understand the path forward.
