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MOAB — A state senator from North Dakota, along with his wife and their two young children were killed in a small plane crash shortly after taking off from the Canyonlands Regional Airport north of Moab on Sunday night.
Doug Larsen's death was confirmed to the Associated Press Monday in an email the state's Senate leader sent to his colleagues.
"Sen. Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children died in a plane crash last evening in Utah," the email says. "They were visiting family in Scottsdale and returning home. They stopped to refuel in Utah."
Larsen, a Republican, joined the North Dakota Senate in 2021, according to his bio on the state's legislative website. A statement from North Dakota officials said Larsen was a 29-year member of the North Dakota Army National Guard who had earned multiple honors and awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Service Star and Army Aviator Badge
"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," North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said in a statement. "As a legislator, he was a tenacious advocate for individual rights and the freedoms he defended through his military service."
Grand County sheriff's deputies said they received reports of the aircraft going down around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
A Classic Air Medical helicopter located the downed aircraft while crews from the Grand County Sheriff's Office, Moab Fire Department and emergency medical technicians responded to the scene.
"I cannot think of a more tragic loss for one family, and the North Dakota National Guard sends our condolences to all of their friends and family," said Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, in a statement. "Doug was a true patriot who dedicated his life, both in and out of uniform, to serving others. I had the distinct pleasure to call him a brother in arms."
