Robert Conover, Madison Conover Obituary, Death – Three individuals who tragically lost their lives in a recent plane crash near Yellowstone National Park have now been identified by authorities. According to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), the victims included two Tennessee residents—60-year-old Robert Conover and 23-year-old Madison Conover—as well as 55-year-old Kurt Enoch Robey from Utah. Officials confirmed that all three were aboard a single-engine aircraft that crashed shortly after departure.
The aircraft involved in the fatal accident was a Piper PA-28. It took off from Montana’s West Yellowstone Airport just before midnight on Thursday, according to information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The plane failed to reach its destination, prompting a search and rescue effort.
Authorities were able to locate the crash site with the help of technology. A search team used the last known GPS signal from a smart watch belonging to one of the passengers to trace the aircraft’s final location. This digital clue helped responders narrow down the search area and ultimately find the wreckage.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office did not provide immediate information on what may have caused the crash. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are both actively investigating the incident to determine what went wrong. As is standard procedure, they will review flight data, the pilot’s experience, weather conditions at the time of takeoff, and the aircraft’s mechanical status.
Investigators from both agencies are expected to spend the coming days analyzing the debris at the crash site, interviewing potential witnesses, and collecting any available flight records or communications. It may take weeks or even months before a conclusive report is issued on the cause of the crash.
The tragic loss of life has deeply impacted the families of the victims and their respective communities. The sheriff’s office extended condolences and said more details may be released as the investigation progresses.
This incident adds to the growing number of small aircraft crashes in the U.S. each year, highlighting the risks involved in general aviation, especially during nighttime flights in remote or mountainous areas such as those near Yellowstone.
So far, no distress call or radio communication indicating an emergency has been reported in relation to this crash. The circumstances surrounding the flight’s final moments remain unclear.
The Gallatin County authorities, along with federal investigators, continue to piece together the timeline and technical factors surrounding the fatal accident, with hopes of preventing similar tragedies in the future.
