NOVEMBER 7, 2023:
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board says a recent plane crash in South Dakota that killed one man and injured another was caused by an abrupt engine stop. The single-engine 1997 Piper Malibu Mirage crashed near Pierre on Oct. 23, 2023, killing the 76-year-old passenger, Hugh Alexander, and injuring pilot Eric Meyers. KELO-TV reported Tuesday that the NTSB said the engine “abruptly stopped” and “rolled back” as the plane climbed from the Pierre Regional Airport. The pilot noted no abnormal indications or warnings before the sudden loss of power. The plane was headed to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where both men were from.
The entire report can be seen by clicking this link.
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OCTOBER 24, 2023, UPDATE:
A 76 year old man from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has been identified as the person killed in a plane crash Monday afternoon (Oct. 23, 2023) just north of Pierre.
The Hughes County Sheriff’s Office says a single engine Piper Malibu Mirage piloted by 59 year old Eric Meyer of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, left the Pierre Regional Airport around 4pm CDT Monday headed for Steamboat Springs. At approximately 4:11pm CDT, Meyer radioed Air Traffic Control and reported engine failure and that the aircraft would be returning to the Pierre Airport.
Local emergency crews were immediately dispatched. At approximately 4:15pm, Meyer called 911 via cell phone and reported the aircraft had crashed northwest of Pierre. Emergency responders located the downed aircraft in rough terrain roughly one mile north of Pierre and a half mile west of Highway 1804. Meyer and passenger Hugh Alexander were taken by ambulance to the hospital in Pierre. Alexander was pronounced dead at the hospital. Meyer was briefly hospitalized, then released.
Federal Aviation Administration investigators arrived at the scene early Tuesday afternoon to investigate the exact cause of the crash.
Hughes County Sheriff Patrick Callahan says the crash site is located on PRIVATE PROPERTY and trespassers face potential charges.
The Hughes County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by Hughes County Coroner Greg Hall, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Aviation Administration.
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OCTOBER 24, 2023:
Federal officials have arrived at the scene of a fatal single engine airplane crash that happened northwest of Pierre yesterday afternoon (Oct. 23, 2023).
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash which happened in an area that is NOT visible from public roads or property.
Preliminary accident information on the Federal Aviation Administration website says the plane is a 1997 Piper Malibu Mirage registered to Icarus Management LLC in Great Falls, Montana (N92884).
The FlightAware website shows the fixed wing plane left the Pierre Regional Airport at 3:57pm CT bound for Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Something caused the plane to circle back and it crashed at approximately 4:13pm in rough terrain approximately one mile north of Pierre and a half mile west of Highway 1804.
There were two people on board, the pilot and one passenger. Both were taken by ambulance to Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre. The passenger was pronounced dead at the hospital. Yesterday, the pilot was said to be in stable condition.
Names of those involved have not yet been released pending notification of family. But, the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office confirms both people were visiting the Pierre area and are not from South Dakota.
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OCTOBER 23, 2023:
One person died and another injured following a single engine airplane crash northwest of Pierre yesterday afternoon (Oct. 23, 2023).
Information from the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office says Central South Dakota Communications dispatch center received the initial report indicating an aircraft had crashed to the northwest of Pierre near the Missouri River.
City, county, state and federal authorities immediately responded and began an intensive search of the area. The aircraft was found around 4:35pm CT in rough terrain approximately one mile north of Pierre and a half mile west of Highway 1804.
Two persons were transported by ambulance to Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre. The pilot is in stable condition. The passenger was pronounced dead at the hospital. Names of those involved have not yet been released pending notification of family. But, the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office confirms both people were visiting the Pierre area and are not from South Dakota.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The Hughes County Sheriff’s Office is in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, who are expected to arrive in Pierre today (Oct. 24, 2023). The crash site is being protected by the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office and is not visible from public roads or property.
Hughes County Sheriff Patrick Callahan thanked all those who assisted in the search and recovery and commended the Central South Dakota Communications dispatch center staff for their diligent efforts in pinpointing the crash site.
Among those also assisting were the Pierre Police Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Game Fish & Parks, FBI, Pierre Volunteer Fire Department, Pierre Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Pierre Airport Rescue Firefighters, AMR ambulance service, Hughes County Coroner’s Office and Avera St. Mary’s Hospital.
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