Lake of the Ozarks plane crash kills two from Kentucky
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two people from northern Kentucky were killed in a Camden County plane crash on Tuesday.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said a 51-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man were killed when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board said investigators are expected to arrive at the scene Wednesday afternoon to begin documenting the crash site and examining the aircraft.
Once the on-scene investigation is complete, the aircraft will be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation.
The NTSB said its investigation will focus on three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.
Investigators will review flight track data, air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records and weather conditions around the time of the crash.
They will also examine the pilot's license, flight experience and recent history, along with witness statements, electronic devices and any available surveillance video.
The NTSB said it will not speculate on what caused the crash during the initial phase of the investigation.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days. The report will include factual information gathered during the initial investigation but will not determine the cause of the crash.
The NTSB said a final report identifying the probable cause and any contributing factors could take 12 to 24 months to complete.
Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop F – which covers much of Mid-Missouri – shared on its social media that a small plane was “fully engulfed and first responders are searching for survivors” after the plane crashed near Public Beach Drive.
The FAA told ABC 17 News in a statement that a crash occurred at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday with two people on board. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.
Troop F confirmed two people died in the crash.
🚨Plane Crash At Lake of the Ozarks🚨 UPDATE: Unfortunately, there are two confirmed fatalities. First responders are working to identify the occupants to notify next of kin. The FAA and NTSB will be investigating the crash, with officials expected to arrive tomorrow. https://t.co/WjPiDzymuj
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) November 3, 2026
Osage Beach Mayor Richard Ross told ABC 17 News that city staff told him that the plane left Lee C. Fine Airport. A "mayday" call occurred shortly after and then was found crashed not too far from the end of the runway.
The Miller County Coroner's Office wrote on its social media that "Preliminary identifications have been made, and individuals believed to be the next of kin have been notified. However, positive identification remains pending. The identities of the deceased will not be publicly released until positive identification has been established."
Information from Flight Aware shows an SR22 aircraft flew 15 minutes from Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport beginning at 2:09 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) gave condolences on social media.
“My heart goes out to those impacted by the plane crash in Camden County this afternoon. I urge everyone to keep the victims and their families in your prayers as we await more information,” he wrote.
Other plane crashes have been reported near the Lake area in the past few years. One crash left two people dead in Osage Beach in August 2020 and a second crash that killed two people in Osage Beach occurred July 2023.
🚨Plane Crash at Lake of the Ozarks🚨 Troopers are responding to a plane crash near Public Beach Drive in Camden County. The small plane is fully engulfed and first responders are searching for survivors. More information will be released at a later time. https://t.co/GPGbiohod8
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) November 3, 2026
