Today the New Mexico State Police responded to a small aircraft crash at approximately 11:44 a.m. Preliminary information indicates a single-engine Cessna 400 crashed at the Los Altos golf course while attempting an emergency landing. Two occupants were on board the aircraft, both were transported to a local area hospital. One individual has been confirmed deceased, the other remains in critical condition.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and is en route to assist with the investigation.
This incident remains under investigation.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — More than 16 Soldiers from the New Mexico Army National Guard’s 1115th Transportation Company responded to a plane crash on the Los Altos Golf Course here today.
The Soldiers witnessed the aircraft go down while conducting training at the New Mexico National Guard Albuquerque Readiness Center.
The Soldiers were in the motor pool when they saw the aircraft crash nearby.
Without hesitation, members of the unit moved toward the scene to assist.
One Soldier retrieved a fire extinguisher while others called 911.
As they arrived on the scene, the Soldiers dispersed golf course patrons from the immediate area after noticing fuel leaking from the aircraft.
After clearing the area, the Soldiers used the fire extinguisher to address hazards and worked together to remove the two passengers from the aircraft before rendering aid.
“Today’s events are a powerful reminder of what it means to be a Citizen-Soldier. When a small aircraft crashed near the National Guard armory in Albuquerque, these Soldiers did what they are trained to do—they moved toward danger to help others,” said NM National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar.
“Using the equipment and training they had on hand, they worked quickly to suppress the fire and make the scene safer for responders to render aid. Their courage, discipline, and instinct to serve reflect the very best of the New Mexico National Guard, and I am incredibly proud of the example they set for our community,” said Aguilar.
The Guardsmen represent a broad range of professions in their civilian lives, including fast food managers, truck drivers, graphic designers, first responders, nurses and other workers from across the Albuquerque community.
“We had to make sure nobody else was injured,” said Spc. Isabella Spencer. “There were a lot of golfers and we didn’t know how many people were hurt. We needed to render aid as quickly as possible. We were there — that’s what being in the military is.”
The Soldiers remained on scene until Albuquerque police and emergency medical personnel arrived and assumed control of the response.
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