On Sunday evening, October 1, a single-engine Piper plane met with a tragic accident shortly after it lifted off from Canyonlands Airfield, roughly 15 miles north of Moab, Utah. The incident resulted in the deaths of all four passengers onboard.

The deceased are identified as North Dakota State Senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children. Senator Larsen was at the controls of the plane when the accident occurred. The family had been on a visit to Scottsdale, Arizona, to see relatives and were in the process of returning home. Their stop in Utah was for refueling the aircraft.

Having been elected to the North Dakota Senate in 2020, Senator Larsen, a member of the Republican party, held a significant position. He chaired a Senate committee that concentrated on legislation concerning industry and business. 

Beyond his political pursuits, Larsen, 47, held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the North Dakota National Guard. The Senator and his wife, Amy, were both known as entrepreneurs. Their dedication to public service combined with their entrepreneurial endeavors has been recognized by many in their home state.

The exact cause of the crash is not yet clear. The National Transportation Safety Board, among other authorities, is undertaking a detailed investigation into the incident.