New Scrutiny on GPS Interference After New Mexico Air Ambulance Crash

Federal investigators are probing a fatal air ambulance crash in New Mexico related to GPS interference caused by a U.S. military jamming exercise. The crash raises concerns about civilian aviation’s readiness for electronic warfare.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report revealing that the crew of the Beech King Air lost GPS navigation soon after departing Roswell, New Mexico, on May 14. This occurred as the military executed a planned GPS-denial exercise.

Air traffic controllers requested a halt in the jamming exercise twice to help the flight, but it remains unclear if interference contributed to the crash. The aircraft crashed into the Capitan Mountains, resulting in the deaths of both pilots and two medical crew members.

Before the flight, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a notice warning of potential satellite navigation disruptions around White Sands Missile Range due to the military exercise. Three other aircraft in the area also experienced GPS issues.

Worldwide aviation authorities are becoming alert to the growing threat of GPS interference. The FAA advises pilots to be prepared for operations without GPS as jamming becomes a more significant concern. The UN aviation agency notes that interference can impact aircraft far from conflict zones.

In their 2026 guidance, the agency highlighted a rapid increase in GPS jamming incidents, with reports rising by 65% in the first half of 2024. Such interference can cause pilots to deviate from their paths and misreport positions, posing serious safety risks.

Todd Humphreys from the University of Texas’ Radionavigation Laboratory questions whether current navigation technology used in civilian aircraft can withstand modern GPS jamming threats. He points out that many FAA-certified GPS systems rely on outdated technology prone to jamming.

While newer GPS technologies are more resistant to interference, aviation certification processes have not kept up. This mismatch concerns international aviation regulators, which have issued warnings about increasing jamming and spoofing incidents.

Paul Deres from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute emphasizes pilot preparation and proficiency in dealing with technological failures. He notes that the general aviation fleet comprises both old and new avionics.

European regulators have updated guidance for pilots and air traffic controllers in response to growing interference. The FAA maintains backup navigation systems and issues alerts about planned disruptions.

GPS interference poses a significant challenge for commercial aviation in parts of Europe and the Middle East, where it is linked to regional conflicts. Although less common in U.S. airspace, military tests can still cause disruptions.

Recent incidents, such as false collision alerts near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, highlight the effects of counter-drone testing and the importance of modernizing aviation technology to prevent similar issues.

With the rise of drones, GPS jamming will likely increase as a means of counteracting them. Humphreys argues that aviation technology must evolve quickly to ensure flight safety.

While the U.S. has so far avoided large-scale disruptions seen in Europe, Humphreys calls for regulatory changes to update aviation certification processes in response to the changing environment.