URGENT UPDATE: Search teams have located the wreckage of a fatal plane crash near Yellowstone National Park, thanks to the last known location from a victim’s smartwatch. The tragic incident, which occurred on Thursday, November 9, 2023, claimed the lives of three individuals.
The single-engine Piper PA-28 left West Yellowstone Airport shortly before midnight. After the aircraft went missing, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office officials dispatched two search planes to the area indicated by the smartwatch. Within 30 minutes, teams found the plane in dense timber just south of West Yellowstone.
All three occupants were confirmed dead at the scene. Authorities identified the victims as Robert Conover, 60, and Madison Conover, 23, both from Tennessee, and Kurt Enoch Robey, 55, from Utah. Their bodies were subsequently airlifted by helicopter for recovery.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). As officials continue their inquiries, the devastating loss of life raises questions about aviation safety in the region.
This incident underscores the critical importance of technology in emergency response situations. The smartwatch, which transmitted the last known location, played a vital role in enabling teams to locate the wreckage promptly.
As the investigation unfolds, updates are expected from authorities, including findings related to the crash’s cause. The community mourns the loss of the victims, with tributes pouring in for those who perished.
Stay tuned for more developments on this tragic incident.
