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At 08:12 AM on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a report of a plane crash near the 8300 block of Pequaywan Lake Rd in unorganized township 54R13. The state duty officer received a call from Air Force rescue of a registered aircraft beacon that had been alarmed. A spotter plane in the area observed possible wreckage on the ground. Upon arrival, deputies located the crash site in a wooded area to the West of Pequaywan Lake Rd. Both the pilot and passenger were found to be deceased.
Through investigation, the plane was determined to be a 1946 Aeronca Cjamp, which can seat two occupants. At this time the cause of the crash is unknown. It is believed the aircraft recently completed an annual inspection and was on a “return to service” flight. The aircraft is believed to have taken off from the Duluth International Airport earlier in the morning.
The FAA will be investigating the incident. Deputies were assisted by the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, the Pequaywan Township fire department, Mayo ambulance, Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office and others.
Names of the deceased individuals will be released after positive identification has been established and next of kin notified. – St. Louis County press release
