A North Dakota state lawmaker was killed in a small plane crash shortly after takeoff Saturday in a Minneapolis suburb, authorities said.
Rep. Liz Conmy, a Democrat from Fargo, was identified as one of two people aboard a Beech F33A aircraft that went down in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and caught fire. The second victim, believed to be the pilot, has not yet been publicly identified.
According to officials, the plane crashed shortly after departing from Crystal Airport. Brooklyn Park Police said emergency crews responded around 11:51 a.m. to reports of a crash in a park area, where they found the aircraft engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within minutes, but there were no survivors.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed two people were on board. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong mourned Conmy’s death in a statement.
“Liz served her state and community with care and compassion, from her service in the Legislature and on the state’s Human Trafficking Commission to her work on education, habitat and immigration,” Armstrong said. “Kjersti and I are saddened by this tragic loss and offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends and fellow legislators. We ask North Dakotans to join us in keeping them in our prayers.”
Armstrong also ordered U.S. and North Dakota flags to be flown at half-staff from dawn to dusk on the day of Conmy’s interment.
Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden also paid tribute, calling Conmy “a dear friend and former colleague.”
“Liz brought integrity, compassion and unwavering dedication to her work on the Education and Judiciary committees, and I was proud to partner with her on efforts to strengthen our schools,” Strinden said. “My thoughts are with her family and all who knew and loved her.”
The North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party described Conmy’s passing as “a profound loss for our state,” noting her advocacy for public education, environmental issues, and government transparency.
Neighbors near the crash site reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing flames shoot into the air, according to Fox News.
State Sen. Tim Mathern, a longtime friend and former running mate, remembered Conmy as someone who brought “a zest for life and a strong work ethic,” adding she would be missed across party lines.
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