Authorities Investigate After Plane Crashes into Brooklyn Park Home
A home in northwest Brooklyn Park was destroyed in a plane crash Saturday afternoon.
U.S. Bank said in a statement that it believes one of its executives, Terry Dolan, was the person aboard the plane when it crashed. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office has not yet confirmed the pilot’s identity.
However, the people that live in the home were not injured.
What Happened
According to Brooklyn Park Fire Chief Shawn Conway, the plane flew in from the southeast.
It struck a house, coming to a stop in the basement of a home on Kyle Avenue.
One resident was in the house when the plane hit, and Conway said they made it out safely. The other resident was out of the house walking their dog. The residents also have a cat, which Conway said they haven’t found yet.
“It was a large fire,” Conway said, recapping the department’s initial response on Saturday. “And what I mean by completely engulfed. The whole residence was on fire.”
Conway said the fire was put out quickly, thanks in part to his own department and their partners: Plymouth, Fridley, Osseo and West Metro Fire Departments.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our staff,” Conway said. “They are hard working, they are diligent. They put the community and their families first.”
Now, Conway said the investigation is in the hands of the National Transportation Safety Board. He said their report should be out in two weeks.
There are still parts of the aircraft on site.
Airplane parts sit near a destroyed home in northwest Brooklyn Park. A plane crashed into the home on March 29.
A Neighbor’s Perspective
On Saturday afternoon, Chad Isaacs was on his usual walk with his wife when they saw signs of a fire.
“I saw black smoke in that direction,” Isaacs said, motioning toward the home on Kyle Avenue. “[I] called 911 because my house is back there.”
He said he also called his son, worried his own home was affected. Fortunately, his son called him back and said their house was alright. Though his family was fine, they live just blocks away from the home that was struck, now left in ruins after the airplane’s crash-landing.
Isaacs said it was concerning not knowing what happened, or how many were impacted.
He was “feeling bad for the people in that neighborhood. And of course, at that time we didn’t know who was in the plane,” Isaacs said.
How to Help
The residents of the home and their dog are safe. Conway said they’re staying in a hotel, and have been receiving assistance from the Salvation Army and Red Cross.
“They have lost everything in a matter of minutes,” Conway said. “This is their residence — and they are supported.”
For those who want to help the family, a GoFundMe is active to cover expenses.
Conway also recommends donating to the Red Cross or Salvation Army.
As of Monday, the city has been unable to verify any web-based fundraising efforts for the family.
