Pilot Identified in Plane Crash Near Mahnomen

Two MnDOT employees rushed to the plane and pulled the pilot from the wreckage

MAHNOMEN, Minn. — A pilot is in a Fargo hospital after crashing his plane south of Mahnomen near the airport.

The Mahnomen County Sheriff says the crash happened around 8 o’clock last night and was witnessed by two MnDOT employees.

They rushed to the plane and pulled the pilot from the wreckage.

He’s identified as 56-year-old Mark Habedank of Twin Valley.

He was airlifted to Sanford in Fargo and his injuries are unknown.

“Obviously you see car crashes and all that throughout your life but never, ever think about seeing a plane go down,” said Erik Fitzgerald, who witnessed the crash. “I was just in shock or disbelief is what was in my mind.”

Fitzgerald said the plane was flying low right before it crashed.

He heard the pilot yelling for help after the crash as the plane was leaking fuel.

The FAA and NTSB are investigating.