Tragedy struck over the weekend as a small plane crashed in Utah, claiming the lives of North Dakota state senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children, Christian and Everett. Larsen, who had recently earned his commercial pilot's license, aspired to fly for a major airline, according to Republican state Sen. Jim Roers.

The Larsen family's journey began in Scottsdale, Arizona, where they were visiting Doug's sister, Peggy Steimel, as part of a sendoff for Steimel's upcoming deployment overseas with the Arizona National Guard. It was the first time the Larsens had flown their plane, a 1966 Piper PA-28-140, to visit Steimel. Larsen, a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the North Dakota National Guard, was piloting the aircraft when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Canyonlands Airfield near Moab.

The news sent shockwaves through the North Dakota Senate, as Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue confirmed Doug Larsen's death in an email to his fellow senators. Larsen, who was elected to the Senate in 2020, represented the Mandan district and chaired a Senate panel focused on industry and business legislation. He was also a lieutenant colonel in the North Dakota National Guard.

Friends and colleagues remember Larsen as passionate about aviation. Joe Faller, a friend of Larsen's, recounted a recent flight with him, saying, "For the three hours that we were on the plane, that's all he talked about. He had a passion for that." Larsen had purchased the plane to gain experience towards his commercial pilot's license and had recently obtained the license, with one job offer from a commuter airline. His ultimate goal was to fly for a major commercial airline.

As the National Transportation Safety Board investigates the cause of the crash, details about the plane have emerged. FAA records indicate that Larsen's Piper PA-28-140 had its airworthiness certificate renewed in June through the year 2030. The crash itself occurred shortly after takeoff from a refueling stop at Canyonlands Airfield.

The tight-knit community of Moab, a tourism-centered town near national parks, was left reeling by the tragedy. The Grand County Sheriff's Department posted a statement on Facebook, confirming the deaths of all four individuals on board the plane.

The loss of Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young sons has left friends, family, and the North Dakota Senate devastated. The Larsens' dream of a future in aviation was tragically cut short, leaving a void that will be felt by many. The investigation into the crash will hopefully provide answers and closure for those affected by this heart-wrenching event.