A single-engine plane crashed just outside the eastern Utah tourist town of Moab on Sunday night, October 1, tragically killing all four passengers on board. Unfortunately, on the following Monday morning, it was revealed that Senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children were the victims of the crash.
According to North Dakota Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, who confirmed the news via email, the family has been visiting relatives in Arizona en route back home.
The aircraft involved was a single-engine Piper plane that had departed from Canyonlands Airfield, about 15 miles north of Moab.
Apparently, the Larsen family had made the pit stop in Utah in order to refuel the plane.
????North Dakota State Senator Doug Larsen and family dead in plane crash.
So sad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. https://t.co/56YeHcuRBd
— Joshua Reid (@realjoshuareid) October 2, 2023
The Grand County Sheriff’s Department released a statement on Facebook detailing the incident.
According to the statement, the aircraft departed from Canyonlands Airfield shortly before meeting its fate approximately 15 miles north of Moab. The cause of crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Senator Doug Larsen was a self-employed individual who dedicated 28 years of his life to serving in North Dakota Army National Guard.
He represented District 34 (Mandan) in North Dakota Senate since 2021 with tremendous success as a public servant to this state.
His death is an immense loss for all those living within North Dakota and beyond it borders as well.
We send our deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy as well as to all who knew or admired Senator Doug Larsen for his service to our nation and state. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
