Pilot Parachutes from Plane Before Crash Near Bloomfield

Officers on scene reported a Cirrus Model SR22 aircraft had landed in an area of farmland after the pilot had reported engine trouble.  The pilot and sole occupant, Robert George Hart III (53) of Pagosa Springs, CO, did not sustain injuries and told officers he had been flying from Albuquerque, NM to Pagosa Springs, CO this morning when the plane's engine malfunctioned.

From NM State Police: Around 10:00 this morning, the New Mexico State Police responded to a report of a downed aircraft approximately five miles east of Bloomfield, NM in an area of farmland.

Officers on scene reported a Cirrus Model SR22 aircraft had landed in an area of farmland after the pilot had reported engine trouble.  The pilot and sole occupant, Robert George Hart III (53) of Pagosa Springs, CO, did not sustain injuries and told officers he had been flying from Albuquerque, NM to Pagosa Springs, CO this morning when the plane's engine malfunctioned.  The plane began to lose altitude and Mr. Hart activated the parachute on the plane and landed safely in an open area.

The aircraft is registered to Coastal King Aviation LLC located in Corpus Christi, TX.

New Mexico State Police, San Juan County Sheriff's Office, and San Juan County Fire and Rescue all responded to the scene.  The State Police will be taking a report on the incident and notified the National Transportation Safety Board for further investigation. There was no property damage caused by the crash. 

More from Local News

  • Bus Service to Link Farmington to Durango, Albuquerque

    The need for the route was identified in the Statewide Public Transportation Plan and will run between Albuquerque, Farmington, Bernalillo, Cuba and into Durango, CO. The new service line will run five days a week, with one round trip each day, providing access to Navajo Transit and Red Apple Transit in Farmington.

  • Two Fatally Shot in Durango, Suspect Shoots Self

    Durango Police say that both victims from Monday night's shooting, Shelby Campbell (32) and Emma Sims (32),  have passed away from their injuries. The suspect, Bradley Campbell (32), remains on life support with a gunshot wound to the head.  Durango Police Detectives continue to investigate this incident, but there is no indication that anyone else was involved.

  • Murder-Suicide in busy Durango shopping area

    Bystanders immediately called 911, prompting an emergency response from the Durango Police Department, La Plata County Sheriff's Office, and Durango Fire & Rescue. First Responders arrived within minutes and began life-saving measures on both individuals. Both were transported to Mercy Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.

  • Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

    The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.

  • Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

    According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.

  • Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

    It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny

    High: 70°F | Low: 34°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny

    High: 68°F | Low: 27°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny

    High: 72°F | Low: 36°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny

    High: 70°F | Low: 34°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny

    High: 72°F | Low: 36°F