The deaths of Liz Conmy and a second unidentified person after a small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Crystal Airport on Saturday. The crash occurred in Brooklyn Park, a suburb of Minneapolis, when a Beech F33A went down and caught fire. Authorities said both people on board were killed.
Conmy, a Democrat from Fargo, was identified as one of the victims. She was remembered by leaders from both major parties for her service and character. Kelly Armstrong issued a statement praising Conmy’s commitment to the state and her community. He noted her work in the Legislature as well as on the state’s Human Trafficking Commission, and highlighted her involvement in education, housing, and immigration matters. Armstrong also ordered that U.S. and North Dakota flags be flown at half-staff on the day of her interment and asked residents to honor her memory.
Michelle Strinden also paid tribute, describing Conmy as a dear friend and former colleague. She said Conmy served with integrity, compassion, and dedication, particularly on the Education and Judiciary committees, where they worked together to strengthen schools.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that two people were aboard the aircraft, but the pilot’s name had not yet been publicly released. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.
The North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party also mourned Conmy’s passing, calling it a profound loss for the state. The organization praised her support for public education, environmental causes, and government transparency.
Local authorities said officers were dispatched around 11:51 a.m. after reports of a plane crash in a park area. Emergency crews arrived to find the aircraft engulfed in flames. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, but there were no survivors.
Neighbors described hearing a loud boom and seeing flames rise from the crash site. Residents immediately called emergency services as the scene unfolded rapidly.
The article notes that this was the second fatal plane crash in Brooklyn Park in a little over a year, drawing renewed attention to aviation safety in the area. It concludes by referencing a separate 2025 aircraft accident in Philadelphia and comments made at the time by Donald Trump.
