A small aircraft crash shortly after takeoff from Crystal Airport north of Minneapolis on Saturday killed North Dakota state Rep. Liz Conmy, a Democrat from Fargo, along with the pilot, after the plane went down in a suburban park and caught fire, triggering a federal investigation and widespread political tributes across the region.
Emergency crews were dispatched to Southbrook Park in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, around midday after reports of a crash and fire.
Authorities said the aircraft struck the ground shortly after departure and erupted into flames, sending smoke visible across nearby neighborhoods.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and extinguished the blaze surrounding the wreckage.
Witnesses described a sudden, violent impact followed by an immediate fireball, FOX 9 reported.
Residents in the area reported hearing a loud boom before seeing thick smoke rise from the park, prompting multiple 911 calls from nearby homes.
Despite the intensity of the fire, officials confirmed no injuries were reported on the ground.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the aircraft was a Beech F33A Bonanza, a single-engine piston plane widely used in private aviation for short regional flights.
Officials said two people were aboard and that the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude after departing Crystal Airport before descending into the park.
The National Transportation Safety Board has assumed leadership of the investigation.
Officials will examine the wreckage, maintenance history, pilot background, flight conditions, and weather data from the time of departure.
A preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks, though a final determination of cause could take significantly longer, according to NBC News.
Crystal Airport, located in the northwest Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area, operates as part of the Metropolitan Airports Commission’s reliever system designed to reduce traffic at larger commercial hubs.
According to Business News Today, the airport supports private aviation, flight training, and business travel, with flight paths frequently passing over residential neighborhoods due to its urban setting.
North Dakota state officials confirmed that Conmy was among those killed in the crash.
Conmy represented District 11 in Fargo and was serving in the state House at the time of her death.
She was known for her involvement in legislative work focused on education, judiciary matters, and public policy oversight.
State Sen. Tim Mathern, a colleague from Fargo, described Conmy as both a legislative partner and close friend, noting her commitment to public service and her active participation in committee work.
He said she was widely respected across political lines for her collaborative approach in the legislature.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R) ordered flags flown at half-staff in honor of Conmy and called the crash a “tragic loss” for the state.
Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden also issued a statement praising Conmy’s integrity and dedication, particularly her work on education and judiciary issues.
Lawmakers from both parties expressed condolences and highlighted her bipartisan relationships.
The North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party issued a statement calling Conmy’s death a profound loss, noting her advocacy for public education, environmental stewardship, and transparency in government.
Party officials said she had been seen as an energetic and approachable figure within the state legislature.
Investigators have not yet released the identity of the second victim pending formal confirmation by the medical examiner.
Officials said the crash site remains under active investigation as federal authorities continue to reconstruct the aircraft’s final moments and determine whether mechanical failure, weather, or other factors played a role.
