A tragic incident occurred in Utah as a Republican state senator lost his life in a private plane crash.
The North Dakota lawmaker, Senator Doug Larsen (R-District 34), was returning from a visit to Arizona with his wife Amy and their two youngest children when their single-engine Piper light aircraft crashed shortly after a refueling stop. Unfortunately, all four individuals on board perished in the accident.
On October 1, Senator Larsen, who had been visiting relatives in Scottsdale, Arizona, embarked on his journey back home. He made a stop at Canyonlands Regional Airfield in Utah to refuel, located approximately 15 miles from Moab.
Tragically, the crash occurred shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of Senator Larsen, his wife, and their two children.
The news of this devastating incident was conveyed in an email by David Hogue, the GOP majority leader of the North Dakota Senate. It was confirmed by the Grand County Sheriff’s Department that Senator Larsen was piloting the aircraft himself.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the crash as of October 2, while the airport remains operational.
The NTSB plans to contact witnesses, analyze radar and radio data, and review the aircraft’s maintenance records and Senator Larsen’s flight history as part of their inquiry.
Senator Doug Larsen, who began his first term as a state senator in December 2020, had a diverse background. He held a real estate agent’s license and owned both a building company and a hotel franchise.
In addition to his business pursuits, Senator Larsen had a remarkable military career, serving for 29 years in the North Dakota Army National Guard. His service included an operational tour in Iraq and a 2013 activation to Washington, DC.
In 2016, he assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, a support helicopter unit based at the Bismarck Municipal Airport, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R) praised Senator Larsen as “a tenacious advocate for individual rights and the freedoms he defended through his military service.”
Major General Alan Dorhman of the North Dakota Army National Guard described him as “a true patriot who dedicated his life to serving others.”
