&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Did military GPS jamming cause a plane to crash in New Mexico? Here's what a report says")
The medical plane that crashed in New Mexico in May this year, killing all four on board, likely happened because of an electronic warfare exercise being conducted at the nearby White Sands Missile Range. According to a report by Wired that analysed an Associated Press finding in June, the GPS on the small twin-engine medevac aircraft failed because the military was jamming that signal throughout that area at the time.
GPS jamming meant that the pilots had no way to know about the mountainous formation between their plane and the landing strip, which resulted in the crash. Besides killing the two pilots and two medical workers, it ignited a wildfire that wreaked devastation for weeks.
Military had warned of GPS disruptions
Low visibility, an overworked air-traffic control and the GPS jamming led to at least three other planes reporting navigation disruptions. The AP report had stated that the military had warned the pilots to expect the disruptions. However, the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report only talked about the GPS problems on board the flight, but the cause of the crash has not been officially identified as yet.
"The loss of GPS should not result in the loss of an airplane so there’s got to be more to it than that," retired airline pilot John Cox, and CEO of Safety Operating Systems, told AP at the time. Airline pilot and aviation crash analyst Juan Browne told Wired, “When those lights go out, man, you know you are in big trouble.”
GPS jamming in the United States
Trending Stories
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin detained over 'double-meaning' Trisha remark in Vijay's Tamil Nadu
)
Trump’s 'forced labour' tariff faces court challenge as 25 states sue US admin: What it means for India
)
22 children dead, 35 infected: India's Gujarat faces Chandipura virus outbreak — Experts explain symptoms
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
Trump, Putin kissing in Amsterdam? Pride parade’s ‘couple’ goes viral | WATCH
)
'FIR not withdrawn' against Noida teen who 'abused' PM Modi despite apology, claims CJP
)
Pakistan minister admits ‘system has collapsed’, Munir pushes for more provinces | Gravitas
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Bombay High Court canteens inspected after judges question Maharashtra FDA's 'selective' crackdown
)
WI vs PAK, 2nd Test: Shafique and skipper Babar lead fightback with unbroken 168-run stand on Day 2
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Wipro's margins fall to 15-quarter low as AI investment eats into profit
)
Influencer killed on livestream: Mexican cartel boss' son asked dad to kill woman who broke up with him
)
US signs deal to boost production of Patriot, THAAD missile interceptor systems
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
Multiple WhatsApp accounts, including in India, are under review for 24 hours. Here’s why
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
US move on Venezuela oil bond could unlock gains for India’s energy companies
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC T20I rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
'He is courageous leader': DK Shivakumar after TN CM Vijay postpone his Cauvery-related Karnataka visit
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
Tamil Nadu leader Udhayanidhi Stalin draws severe backlash over derogatory remark against Trisha
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian jets use heavier steel compared to US jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
PM Modi expected to visit Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as India firms up Central Asia ties
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter pilots wear blue flight suits compared to US pilots
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How often does an S-400 need maintenance?
This is the first known incident where military GPS caused a civilian plane to go down in US airspace. Wired reported that even though the pilots had already been warned about it, there was a lack of safeguards or air traffic control personnel to prevent a disaster. Notably, cases of GPS jamming have skyrocketed in recent years, going from four in 2020 to 50 in 2024, and 40 across 2025, according to data from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Experts said that the pilots could have landed safely if they had relied on ground-based navigation systems or flown visually. The Army’s White Sands Missile Range is about 65 kilometres from Ruidoso, where the plane was trying to land at night.
