A Bismarck Air Medical airplane operated by Metro Area Ambulance has crashed NW of Mandan late last night, November 18, taking the lives of the three onboard.

According to Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, the three killed were medical personnel. The plane was flying to Williston, N.D., to assist in patient transport but went down prior to arrival. 

“We did get that it was at an altitude and they lost contact with it,” Kirchmeier said. “There was no radio or radar contact, after a certain point. [And] that’s when we started looking into this further and start searching for the aircraft.”

A search by sheriff’s office, Air Force Rescue Team and Civil Air Patrol led them to the crash site at around 2:00 a.m. on Monday, November 19. Sheriff Kirkmeier said that the twin engine Cessna had crashed in rough terrain not easily accessible by vehicles.

There was light snow at the time the aircraft crashed.  

Federal investigators were sent to the scene.

A Bismarck Air Medical pilot and paramedic, together with a CHI St. Alexius Health registered nurse, were onboard.