Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny: Two Disturbing Incidents Demand Attention

Newspaper headline about a plane crash story

U.S. Bank vice chair Terry Dolan’s fatal plane crash in Minnesota leaves financial institution mourning while investigators search for answers behind the tragic aviation accident that destroyed a residential home.

Key Takeaways

Terry Dolan, vice chair and chief administration officer at U.S. Bank, is believed to have been killed when his single-engine aircraft crashed into a Brooklyn Park, Minnesota home.
The plane, a SOCATA TBM7 registered to Dolan, departed from Des Moines International Airport and crashed shortly before its scheduled landing at Anoka County-Blaine Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash, with preliminary findings expected within 30 days.
The homeowner present during the crash miraculously escaped without injury despite the impact causing a fire.
Dolan, 63, was a seasoned executive who became U.S. Bank’s chief administration officer in 2023 after previously serving as CFO and executive vice president.

Brooklyn Park Plane Crash Details

A single-engine aircraft registered to U.S. Bank vice chair Terry Dolan crashed into a residential home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The SOCATA TBM7 had departed from Des Moines International Airport and went down shortly before its scheduled landing at Anoka County-Blaine Airport. Preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration indicates there was only one person aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash, believed to be Dolan himself. The impact caused a fire at the residence, but remarkably, the sole occupant of the home escaped without injury.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation with assistance from the FAA, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office is currently working to officially identify all passengers aboard the plane. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has expressed gratitude to first responders and is monitoring the situation as it develops. The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time, with investigators carefully examining the wreckage and flight data.

U.S. Bank executive Terry Dolan feared dead after Minnesota plane crash. pic.twitter.com/p4r4njT66r

— E! News (@enews) March 31, 2025

U.S. Bank Executive’s Legacy

Terry Dolan, 63, served as U.S. Bank’s vice chair and chief administration officer, having previously held positions as chief financial officer and executive vice president. He joined the bank’s leadership team in 2023 and was known for his business acumen and community involvement. Dolan had a well-known passion for flying and was active in community service, having been involved with Catholic Charities Twin Cities from 2012 to 2017. His unexpected death has sent shockwaves through both the financial and local communities.

Tim Marx, former CEO of Catholic Charities, expressed profound shock upon learning about the accident, stating the news “just really hit me hard. It was a real sad shock.” U.S. Bank spokesperson Jeffrey Shelman confirmed that while the medical examiner has not yet officially confirmed Dolan’s presence on the aircraft, the bank believes he was onboard at the time of the crash. The financial institution has issued formal condolences to Dolan’s family and expressed gratitude that no residents were injured in the incident.

Investigation Underway

The Brooklyn Park neighborhood where the crash occurred is now the center of an extensive investigation by federal aviation authorities. The NTSB has taken the lead role in determining what caused the SOCATA TBM7 aircraft to go down. Investigators are examining factors such as weather conditions, mechanical issues, and flight path data to establish a timeline of events leading to the tragic accident. The preliminary report expected within the next month will likely provide initial findings, though complete investigations of this nature typically take 12-18 months.

The aircraft had been properly registered to Dolan, who was known to be an aviation enthusiast. First responders quickly arrived at the scene following the crash, containing the fire and securing the area for investigation. Neighborhood residents reported hearing unusual engine sounds shortly before the impact, providing potential clues for investigators examining the final moments of the flight. This tragic accident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks in general aviation, even for experienced pilots.