BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (Valley News Live) – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is releasing new details on a small-plane crash in Brooklyn Park that killed a North Dakota lawmaker and her pilot near Crystal Airport last month.
The small plane went down on April 25 near the Crystal Airport. Both occupants, Representative Liz Conmy and pilot Joseph Cass, died.
According to a preliminary report released May 7, Cass took off from Crystal Airport’s runway 32 around 11:51 a.m. on April 25, headed back to Park Rapids, Minnesota.
The day before the crash, Cass had flown the same plane from Park Rapids to Crystal and added fuel after landing.
Shortly after liftoff, the pilot radioed air traffic control, saying, ‘abort, abort, 32X,’ according to the report, indicating he wanted to stop the takeoff or return immediately.
A few seconds later, security and doorbell cameras around the airport recorded the plane turning left, losing altitude and disappearing behind trees. A large plume of black smoke rose moments later.
Two witnesses at the airport told investigators the flight looked unusual shortly after takeoff and said the plane appeared low and was not climbing much.
The NTSB says early checks of the engine and fuel system did not reveal obvious signs of an engine failure.
Investigators stressed that the findings are preliminary and could change. The plane has been retained for further examination.
Conmy represented District 11 in Fargo since 2022.
Her celebration of life was held on May 1.
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