Minnesota: A small plane crash in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, claimed the lives of North Dakota State Representative Liz Conmy and a pilot shortly after takeoff on Saturday morning. The aircraft, identified as a Beech F33A, crashed and caught fire in a local park at approximately 11:51 a.m., just minutes after departing from Crystal Airport, located north of Minneapolis.
The North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party confirmed the death of Representative Conmy, a Fargo resident, in a statement on social media. The party described her as a “champion for public education, the environment, and transparency,” expressing that her passing is a profound loss for the state. State Senator Tim Mathern, a colleague of Conmy, also confirmed the tragic news to the Star Tribune, noting the deep impact she had on her community and the legislature.
According to Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Matt Rabe, emergency responders arrived to find the wreckage engulfed in flames. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that two individuals were on board the aircraft, the identity of the pilot has not yet been officially released pending notification of next of kin. No injuries were reported on the ground despite the plane coming down in a public park.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Investigators are expected to arrive at the scene shortly to begin recovering flight data and examining the wreckage. Representative Conmy’s death has prompted a wave of tributes from across the political spectrum, with leaders across the Midwest mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant.
