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.
The governor’s visit was carefully scheduled to give first responders, law enforcement and emergency vehicles ample time to complete rescues and other emergency work during the flooding. Now that the floodwaters are receding and initial damage assessments are underway, the Governor will survey the disaster zone and work to get families the help they need.
Bloomfield Residents and businesses: please minimize water use until further notice. Postpone laundry and dishwasher use, keep showers brief, and reduce toilet flushing when practical and sanitary. Every reduction helps limit wastewater entering the river.
The district has worked with the Lower Valley Water Users Association on the testing needed to lift the boil water notice. Because of the number of tests required, the district has decided to keep students on remote learning as a precaution for their well-being. If test results come back early, the district must still follow processes and protocols to flush and clear the water lines at each school before in-person instruction can resume. Safety is our top priority for the well-being of our Kirtland students.
Water Samples taken from the Lower Valley Water Association system have tested negative for e-coli. The Boil Water notice has been lifted for customers.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives discovered that Lauren Patterson’s husband, Jess Patterson, had previously resided in California and had been arrested at least 6 times for domestic violence in that state and had been arrested in July 2026 in New Mexico for battering Ms. Patterson. An autopsy revealed Ms. Patterson suffered multiple broken bones, bruising, and internal injuries.