According to the New York Post, Terry Dolan, US Bancorp's vice chair and chief administration officer, is believed to have been the sole occupant of the aircraft that crashed into a house in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
The Hennepin County medical examiner has yet to confirm the identity of the deceased pilot. US Bancorp released a statement acknowledging that the crashed plane was registered to Dolan, their 63-year-old executive. The incident has sent shockwaves through the banking community and Minnesota's philanthropic circles, where Dolan maintained an active presence.
Dramatic crash in suburban Minneapolis neighborhood
The aircraft departed from Des Moines International Airport in Iowa and was approaching its final destination at Anoka County-Blaine Airport when disaster struck. The plane crashed into a residential property around noon, merely 10 minutes away from its intended landing site. Despite the house bursting into flames upon impact, miraculously, none of the home's occupants sustained injuries.
Timothy Sorensen, a senior aviation accident investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, is leading the investigation into the crash. Recovery crews began their work early Sunday, meticulously documenting the accident site and collecting wreckage for analysis.
US Bancorp shared their concerns about the incident in an official statement:
We are aware that the plane that crashed in Brooklyn Park on Saturday afternoon was registered to Terry Dolan, our vice chair and chief administration officer. At this time, the medical examiner's office has not been able to confirm whether he was on board, but we believe he was. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and friends, and anyone who may have been affected by yesterday's tragic incident.
Distinguished career and community involvement
Dolan's influence extended far beyond his role at US Bancorp, where he was promoted to vice chair in 2023. His responsibilities encompassed crucial areas including marketing and analytics operations within the company.
As a prominent figure in Minnesota's cultural and charitable landscape, Dolan served on multiple prestigious boards. His commitment to community service was evident through his involvement with the Killebrew Thompson Memorial, Minnesota Opera, and Artspace. Additionally, he contributed his expertise to Catholic Charities and the Minneapolis Foundation.
The investigation into the crash is expected to be thorough and methodical. According to NTSB investigator Sorensen, the preliminary findings could take up to two weeks to compile, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the factors that led to this tragic incident.
Final moments unfold in aviation tragedy
The medical examiner's office continues its work to officially identify the crash victim. This process remains a critical component of the ongoing investigation, which includes detailed analysis of flight data and environmental conditions at the time of the incident.
Recovery operations at the crash site are proceeding with careful attention to detail. The investigation team's primary focus is preserving all evidence that might help determine the cause of the crash.
These efforts are part of a standard protocol following aviation accidents, with multiple agencies coordinating to piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragic outcome.
Conclusion
Terry Dolan, a respected banking executive and philanthropist, is presumed to have been piloting the aircraft that crashed in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on Saturday. The incident occurred when his plane, traveling from Des Moines to Minneapolis, struck a residential property near the Anoka County-Blaine Airport. While official confirmation from the medical examiner is pending, investigators are working diligently to understand the circumstances surrounding the crash, with preliminary findings expected within two weeks.
