Minnesota (WCCO) — A North Dakota lawmaker is one of two people who died when a small plane crashed near Minneapolis late Saturday morning, according to the state's Democratic Minority leader.
The National Transportation Safety Board says a Beech F33A plane crashed near 62nd and Florida avenues in Brooklyn Park around noon, shortly after taking off from the nearby Crystal Airport.
Two people were inside the aircraft at the time of the crash, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Officials say local fire crews were on scene within minutes of receiving the call.
“I just looked up, and I saw it going really fast,” said Nevaeh Surla, who witnessed the crash. “It was going down, and I didn't see [if] it had the wheels out for a landing. Then I told my fiancé That looks like it's going to crash,' and right when I said that, I saw the big explosion.”
WCCO confirmed that one of the victims was North Dakota Rep. Liz Conmy.
“I am completely devastated at the loss of our friend Liz. She lived life to its fullest, never shying from adventure or speaking her mind — often in refreshingly direct terms,” Zac Ista, the North Dakota Democratic Minority leader, said in a statement.
Conmy has ties to the University of St. Thomas and Minnesota State University.
There are no details on what caused the crash. Local police and fire officials are investigating; an NTSB investigator is expected to arrive late Saturday or early Sunday.