2 killed in plane crash north of Duluth
DULUTH, Minn. -- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a small plane crashed north of Duluth, killing both occupants.
According to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched at 8:12 a.m. Wednesday to the report of the plane crash near the 8300 block of Pequaywan Lake Road, located in the unorganized township of 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," the sheriff's office said.
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When deputies arrived, they located the crash site in a wooded area west of the road.
Both the pilot and passenger were found dead, the sheriff's office said.
Bryan Handyside, 60, was operating the plane. He had over 30 years of piloting experience. The passenger was 64-year-old Matthew Joseph.
The plane was determined to be a privately-owned 1946 Aeronca 7CCM, which seats two people. Officials believe an annual inspection was completed recently on the aircraft. The flight had taken off from Duluth International Airport earlier in the morning and sent out a distress signal.
The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.
Joseph was Handyside's coworker at Cirrus; the plane involved in the crash was, however, not a Cirrus aircraft.
In addition to the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating.
