Rep. Vasquez Demands DOT and DOD Briefing Following Preliminary Report on Deadly New Mexico Plane Crash

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding answers about the coordination between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) following a deadly plane crash in southern New Mexico impacted by military jamming technology. While the NTSB investigation has yet to determine the final cause of the crash, preliminary reports indicate that multiple aircrafts experienced navigational issues in the region while jamming technology was in use, as well as that the pilot of the plane that crashed was forced to manage a rapid series of incoming communications related to the jamming while also attempting to fly the aircraft.

Vasquez's request follows a preliminary National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report indicating that military jamming technology was being tested at White Sands Missile Range when the pilot of a medical transport aircraft reported navigational issues before the fatal crash near Ruidoso in May. The incident came just months after the February closure of El Paso airspace caused by inadequate coordination between the FAA, Customs and Border Protection, and the DoD during testing of military counter-drone technology.

"New Mexicans deserve safety in the sky, especially those flying to deliver critical medical care. I have been briefed by the NTSB chair and regional officials on the incident in Ruidoso, and military technology definitely had a role to play in the flight path of this tragic crash," said Vasquez. "If there were other missteps by this Administration or the Department of Defense, the American people deserve answers, and the safety of civilians flying near protected airspace must be guaranteed."

In the letter sent today, Rep. Vasquez requests a joint briefing from the Department of Transportation and Department of Defense by September 6, 2026, to explain their coordination procedures and answer questions regarding:

• Notification procedures for military testing that could affect civilian aviation
• FAA coordination with air traffic controllers, airports, and airlines during military testing
• Safety protocols for civilian aircraft operating near military technology testing
• Communication procedures between air traffic controllers and the Department of Defense
• Training provided to air traffic controllers when military testing may affect civilian flights
• Coordination between the FAA, DoD, and NTSB during the ongoing investigation

Rep. Vasquez continues to lead Congressional oversight efforts following multiple aviation incidents affecting southern New Mexico, including:

• Securing an NTSB briefing on July 14 after demanding greater transparency and answers about the deadly Ruidoso plane crash
• Pressing the FAA and Department of Defense for accountability following the February closure of El Paso airspace
• Successfully securing passage of an amendment to the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Department of Defense to improve coordination with the FAA before testing military technologies that could impact civilian aviation

###