On Saturday, a devastating plane crash occurred in Brooklyn Park, resulting in the tragic loss of a pilot and significant damage to a residential home. The single-engine aircraft crashed into the roof of a house at approximately 12:20 p.m., igniting a fire that displaced two residents. During a Sunday news conference, authorities confirmed that the pilot did not survive the incident, while no injuries were reported among those on the ground.
Though the identity of the pilot has not been officially confirmed by authorities, a spokesperson from U.S. Bancorp indicated that Terry Dolan, the company's vice chair and chief administration officer, is believed to have been the only person on board the aircraft. The company stated, “We are aware that the plane that crashed in Brooklyn Park on Saturday afternoon was registered to Terry Dolan. At this time, the medical examiner’s office has not been able to confirm whether he was on board, but we believe he was.”
The aircraft was registered to DGW Enterprises of Edina, where Terrance Dolan is listed as the manager according to records from the Minnesota Secretary of State. U.S. Bancorp expressed condolences, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and friends, and anyone who may have been affected by yesterday’s tragic incident.”
Witnesses reported that the plane was traveling northwest when it struck the roof of the home, leading to a fire that engulfed the structure. Brooklyn Park Fire Chief Shawn Conway noted that emergency crews worked diligently to restore electricity to the surrounding neighborhood by 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. Fortunately, everyone on the ground, including a man who was inside the home at the time of the crash, managed to escape without injury. The resident recounted fleeing the house without shoes as smoke filled the rooms.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Timothy Sorensen, a senior aviation accident investigator with the NTSB, stated that crews began recovering the airplane on Sunday afternoon after documenting the accident site. A preliminary report detailing the facts of the incident will be released in approximately two weeks, but it will not specify the cause of the crash. Factors under consideration include weather conditions, the pilot’s experience, and the aircraft's maintenance history.
This tragic incident has left the Brooklyn Park community in shock, as residents come to terms with the loss and the impact of the crash. As the investigation unfolds, more details will emerge regarding this heartbreaking event.
