North Dakota Lawmaker Among Two Killed in Small Plane Crash Near Minneapolis

Mintesinot Niggusie

North Dakota state Representative Liz Conmy was killed alongside the pilot when a small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Crystal Airport north of Minneapolis on Saturday, according to local officials and party statements. The North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party confirmed Conmy’s death in a social media post, describing her as a strong advocate for public education, environmental protection and government transparency. “We are completely heartbroken and gutted by the loss of Representative Liz Conmy. Her death is a profound loss for our state,” the party said on X.

North Dakota state Senator Tim Mathern told the Star Tribune that Conmy, who represented Fargo, was among those killed in the crash. Emergency services responded at 11:51 a.m. after reports of a small aircraft going down in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where officers found a burning wreckage in a park shortly after departure, Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Matt Rabe said.

Rabe said the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff but did not immediately confirm the number of occupants. The Federal Aviation Administration later said two people were aboard the plane. The aircraft has been identified by the National Transportation Safety Board as a Beech F33A. The agency said it has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash and expected investigators to arrive at the scene shortly.