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NTSB investigating fatal Brooklyn Park plane crash
Federal investigators are now on the ground in Brooklyn Park after a deadly plane crash that left two people dead and a community searching for answers. FOX 9's Leon Purvis has the story.
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (FOX 9) - Federal investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are still working to determine the cause of a Brooklyn Park plane crash that resulted in the death of a North Dakota lawmaker and her partner who was piloting the plane.
The preliminary report did not find any obvious pre-impact mechanical failures and the plane's wreckage is still being examined as part of the investigation.
The crash resulted in the death of the two people onboard, including North Dakota State Rep. Liz Conmy.
An obituary names Joseph Ralph Cass as the pilot of the airplane and a companion of Rep. Conmy.
READ MORE: North Dakota Rep. Liz Conmy dies in Brooklyn Park plane crash near Crystal Airport
Brooklyn Park plane crash preliminary report
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VIDEO: Moments after plane crash in Crystal
A video captured by Kim Clark shows the moments after a plane crashed near Crystal Airport Saturday afternoon.
Timeline:
A preliminary report released by the NTSB says the crash happened at about 11:51 a.m. on April 25, 2026, when a Beechcraft F33A flew from Crystal Airport (MIC) en route to Park Rapids (PKD).
Air traffic control (ATC) cleared the plane to take off from runway 32, but shortly after the plane became airborne, the pilot radioed "Abort, abort 32X," according to recordings cited in the crash report. ATC then told the pilot he was clear to land on any runway.
Video surveillance footage showed the plane turning left before it descended behind the trees, followed by a large plume of black smoke appearing from behind the tree line, the report states.
The plane crashed in a park within a residential neighborhood about 900 feet from the departure end of runway 32.
Witness and video accounts
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Brooklyn Park plane crash: 2 killed in fiery crash
Brooklyn Park police and fire officials responded to a report of a small airplane crash near the airport at 11:51 a.m. today. The plane crashed into a nearby park shortly after taking off and caught fire.
What they're saying:
Investigators reviewed footage that showed the plane climbing normally before it banked left and nosedived into the trees.
The engine was heard running until the crash.
One witness told investigators that the landing gear was still down during the initial climb, which was unusual.
Another said the plane appeared to be flying too low and was failing to climb normally.
Engine and mechanical examination
Dig deeper:
The preliminary investigation did not reveal any obvious pre-impact mechanical failures, with the engine appearing to work normally, and all flight control cables connected and functional.
The propeller blades had scratches, bends, and twists, which indicate the engine was producing power when it hit the ground, the report states.
What's next:
The wreckage of the airplane is being retained for further examination.
The Source: This story uses information from a National Transportation Safety Board aviation investigation preliminary report and previous FOX 9 reporting.