ND Senator and his family killed in plane crash

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - A North Dakota Senator and member of the North Dakota National Guard has died in a plane crash, which also took the life of his wife and two young children.

According to an FAA incident report, a plane carrying four people crashed during takeoff in Moab, Utah on Sunday, October 1. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office reports that at 8:30 p.m. local time, it responded to a plane crash at Canyonlands Airfield north of Moab, Utah.

According to FAA records, the plane, a 1966 Piper PA28, was registered to Douglas Larsen of Mandan, North Dakota. Larsen was a 29-year member of the North Dakota Army National Guard and had served in the state Senate since 2021, representing District 34.

The sheriff’s office said the senator was the pilot and all four people on board the plane were killed. Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue said they were on their way home from visiting family in Scottsdale.

“I’m not sure where the bereavement starts with such a tragedy, but I think it starts with prayers for the grandparents, surviving stepchild of Senator Larsen, and extended family of Doug and Amy,” Hogue wrote. “Hold your family close today.”

Gov. Doug Burgum and Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard, released the following statements on Monday regarding the deaths of state Sen. Doug Larsen of Mandan, his wife, Amy, and their two young sons, as a result of a plane crash Sunday in Utah.

“First Lady Kathryn, Lt. Gov. Miller and I are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking loss of Sen. Doug Larsen, his wife, Amy, and their two young sons. Sen. Larsen was a father, husband, coach, entrepreneur, businessman, state senator and lieutenant colonel in the North Dakota National Guard who committed himself fully to each of those roles with an unwavering sense of honor and duty,” said Burgum, commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National Guard. “As a legislator, he was a tenacious advocate for individual rights and the freedoms he defended through his military service. We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to his family and friends and join his legislative colleagues, National Guard brothers and sisters and the Mandan community in mourning the tragic passing of Sen. Larsen and his family.”

Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan expressed her sympathy on behalf of the Democratic-NPL caucus, “Our hearts ache for Senator Larsen’s family. Doug was always respectful and kind, and His service as a lieutenant colonel in the North Dakota Army National Guard and in our legislature shows just how dedicated he was to our state and country.”

Senator John Hoeven and Senator Kevin Cramer also both issued statements honoring the memory of North Dakota State Senator Doug Larsen, his wife, Amy, and their two children.

“Mikey and I send our deepest condolences to the Larsen family following this tragedy,” Hoeven said. “We honor their memory and dedication to their community, state and nation. For nearly 30 years, Doug served as a member of the National Guard, protecting our country both at home and abroad, and his family served right alongside him as he answered the call. We join the Mandan community in mourning their loss and offer our prayers on behalf of all their friends and loved ones.”

“Kris and I are saddened by the tragic passing of North Dakota State Senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two children. My prayers are with their loved ones,” Cramer posted on social media.

District Republicans will appoint a successor to fill out the remainder of Larsen’s term, through November 2024. His Senate seat is on the ballot next year.

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