The AgustaWestland A109E, owned by the New Mexico State Department of Public Safety and operated by the New Mexico State Police, had just rescued a lost hiker after a search near Baldy Mountain and was returning to Sante Fe when it collided with the side of a mountain in IMC shortly before dusk on June 9. Clouds, strong gusty winds, heavy rain and sleet were reported in the area at the time of the crash. The helicopter continued to fly for approximately one minute after initial impact before making a hard landing and rolling 800 feet down a rocky hillside, ejecting the pilot and the hiker, who both died. A state police spotter on board survived with serious injuries.