New Details Released in Plane Crash That Killed Retired Mayo Clinic Surgeon, ND Lawmaker

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News)- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released new information about a deadly plane crash that happened in the Twin Cities last month. 

Read More: Retired Mayo Clinic Surgeon & Teacher ID'D as Pilot in Deadly Minnesota Plane Crash 

Retired Mayo Clinic Surgeon Joseph Cass and his partner, North Dakota state lawmaker Liz Conmy lost their lives in the aviation disaster. Cass was identified as the pilot in a report from KFGO in Fargo. 

A report based on the preliminary investigation issued by the NTSB said the two had flown into the Crystal Airport in the Twin Cities from Park Rapids on April 24. 

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They were set to fly back to Park Rapids on April 25 and were cleared for departure around 11:51 a.m. Cass read back the correct instructions to air traffic control and took off. 

NTSB Report Shares Video & Witnesses Statements About Deadly Minnesota Plane Crash

Shortly after departing, Cass is heard saying “abort, abort, 32X,” to air traffic control and was given clearance to return to the airport. 

Surveillance video captured by a camera at the airport showed the Beechcraft BE33 turn left before descending behind trees. A large plume of black smoke then appeared from behind the tree line in the area of a city park. 

The camera at the airport was one of four cameras to capture the deadly plane crash. 

A camera at a home with a view of the crash site showed the plane at “a near vertical nose down attitude” before it crashed, according to the report. 

See Also: Second Suspect Pleads Guilty to Gunfire in Small Southeast Minnesota Town 

Two other cameras recorded the plane making a left turn before it crashed. The engine was heard running for the duration of all four of the videos, the report says. 

Witnesses Give Statements About Takeoff Ahead of Plane Crash

A witness at the airport told federal investigators they saw the aircraft’s landing gear down while it was about 150 feet on the ground, which the witness said was an unusual height to still have the gear down. 

A second witness who was taxiing at the Crystal Airport told investigators that the takeoff seemed normal but thought the aircraft looked low and was not climbing. 

The report said the plane’s fuel lines were damaged and that the fuel selector was on the correct tank. The engine was leaking a gold-colored oil when it was removed from the wreckage for transportation. 

Crews removed the three-propeller speed propeller. Two of the blades were bent and/or twisted and all three showed polishing and chordwise scratches, according to the report. 

Federal investigators have retained the aircraft for continued examination.