LINCOLN COUNTY, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Officials have released the identities of the four people killed when a medical aircraft crashed into the Capitan Mountain wilderness, sparking a wildfire.
According to Trans Aero MedEvac, crew members from their organization and their partner, Generation Jets Pilot, died Thursday morning after their aircraft was involved in an accident while flying from Roswell to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport.
The four dead were identified as:
Keelan Clark, Generation Jets Pilot.Ali Kawsara, Generation Jets Pilot.Sarah Clark, Trans Aero MedEvac Flight Nurse.Jamie Novick, Trans Aero MedEvac Flight Nurse.
“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones navigating an unimaginable loss,” said Matt Goertz, Vice President of Trans Aero MedEvac. “Sarah and Jamie embodied what it means to care for others. Their commitment to their patients and their teammates will never be forgotten, and their impact will continue to live on within our organization and the communities they served.”
“This tragedy has deeply affected every member of the Generation Jets family,” said Monty Renfro, President and CEO of Generation Jets. “Keelan and Ali’s professionalism and dedication will never be forgotten.”
Both organizations said they continue to cooperate with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and local authorities as the investigation remains ongoing.
RELATED: Medical transport plane crashes in Lincoln County; 4 people killed
Authorities say communication and radar contact were lost in the early hours of May 14, prompting an immediate emergency response looking for the lost aircraft.
Search efforts intensified after reports surfaced of a fire in the Capitan Mountain area.
Officials later confirmed that the aircraft had been located and that all four occupants were found deceased at the crash site.
RELATED: Wildfire in Capitan Mountains remains 0% contained as winds threaten shift
The crash sparked a fire 25 miles Northeast of Ruidoso.
According to officials, as of Monday morning, the wildfire has burned 12,549 acres and is 0 percent contained.
Furthermore, officials said that high winds are expected to shift on Monday, and as a result, they are worried the fire will be pushed west toward Arebal and Highway 246.
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