Two people are dead after a small aircraft crashed on Sunday night in northern Door County. The Door County Sheriff’s Department says 69-year old Ralph Keller of Sister Bay and Lagrange Park, Illinois and 16-year old Olivia Dahl of Sister Bay died when the aircraft went down in an area of Peninsula State Park near Highland Road. The plane was on its way to the Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport when the crash occurred. The sheriff’s department was alerted by a citizen who reported seeing the airplane, noting its disappearance and hearing a crash. At the time, authorities were unsure if the plane crashed on land or water. Joining the sheriff’s department for the initial search were elements of Ephraim Fire and Gibraltar Fire and police, along with the Sturgeon Bay fire boat. Shortly before 10PM, a citizen located the crash site. Sheriff Delarwelle says Olivia Dahl was flying enthusiast who was taking lessons in Green Bay. Ralph Keller was a pilot who transported her to Green Bay. It was the first time the two had met. Authorities say it appeared that Keller was making his final approach to the Ephraim Airport when something went wrong. The Federal Aviation Administration arrived at the crash site Monday to begin its investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to arrive Tuesday. Sheriff Delarwelle thanked the Ephraim, Gibraltar, Sister Bay/Liberty Grove, Baileys Harbor and Sturgeon Bay fire departments, Gibraltar Police, and Door County EMS for participating in the recovery operation.
