On Sunday evening, October 1, a Piper single-engine aircraft crashed soon after departure from Canyonlands Airfield, which is approximately 15 miles to the north of Moab, Utah. The crash was fatal for all four individuals onboard.
The unfortunate victims included North Dakota State Senator Doug Larsen, who was operating the plane, his wife Amy, and their two children. They had been in Scottsdale, Arizona, visiting family members and were en route to their home. The stopover in Utah was intended for refueling the plane.
Elected to the North Dakota Senate in the 2020 elections as a Republican representative, Senator Larsen, 47, was known for his influential role. He was at the helm of a Senate committee that delved into industry and business-related legislative matters.
In addition to his notable political career, Larsen held a position as a lieutenant colonel in the North Dakota National Guard. Both he and his spouse, Amy, were entrepreneurs. Their dual commitment to both the business world and public service garnered attention in the North Dakota community.
The cause of the tragic accident is under scrutiny. Investigations are underway, with the National Transportation Safety Board playing a leading role in the probe.
