Unforgettable day in SD history

POSTED October 27, 2021

28 years ago on April 19, 1993, a plane crashed, killing the eight on board and breaking the hearts of South Dakota and the Nation. On board were Governor George S Mickelson, Roland Dolly, Ron Reed, Angus Anson, David Birkeland, Roger Becker, and the pilot of the plane David Hansen.

The plane crash happened at about 4 p.m. nine miles south of Dubuque, Iowa. The plane was reported to be having engine trouble and hit a barn and silo. In South Dakota, flags were lowered in the state at about 7:30 pm to honor the victims. On April 22, 1993, the casket of George S Mickelson was lowered and buried into the ground, surrounded by friends, family, and a state in mourning. Since that fateful day, memorials have been erected for the 8 victims.

The 8 Victims Lost That Day:

George Mickelson (b. Jan. 31, 1941- d. Apr. 19, 1993) 52

George Speaker Mickelson was the Governor of South Dakota, at the time of the crash, and on April 19, 1993, George Mickelson was on his way back to Sioux Falls from Ohio, “on a mission to try to save the city’s John Morrell and Co. packing plant.”

Buried at: Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings, SD

Roland Dolly (b. July 19, 1955- d. April 19, 1993) 37

Roland Lyn “Rollie” Dolly was “State Economic Development Commissioner” of South Dakota and on April 19, 1993, Rollie was on his way back from Ohio.

Buried at: Presho Cemetery, Lyman County, SD

Ron Reed (b. Oct 10, 1940- d. April 19, 1993) 52

Ronald Reed “Ron” of Pierre was Commissioner of the “State Office of Energy Policy”.

Buried at: Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings, SD

Angus Anson (b. 1955- d. April 19, 1993) 38

Angus Anson was General Manager and Chief Executive for Northern States Power Co. He was also Chairman-Elect of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

Buried at: Wessington Cemetery, Hand County, SD

Ronald Becker (b. July 6, 1940- d. April 19, 1993) 52

Ronald Becker, the State Chief’s Pilot, had been flying for the state since 1980. He was piloting the plane that George Mickelson and the rest of the men were on when the plane went down when it hit the farm silo.

Buried at: Riverside Cemetery, Hughes County, SD

David Birkeland (b. Aug. 28, 1938- d. April 19, 1993) 54

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of South Dakota, David Bikeland was on the plane with George Mickelson. They were returning from Ohio to Sioux Falls.

Buried at: Woodlawn Cemetery, Minnehaha County, Sioux Falls, SD

Roger Hainje (b. Oct. 10, 1949- d. April 19. 1993) 45

Roger Hainje was President of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and the Forward Sioux Falls, a “Partnership between the Development and the Organization”

Buried at: Woodlawn Cemetery, Minnehaha County, Sioux Falls, SD

David Hansen (b. Jul. 11, 1947 d. April 19, 1993) 45

David Hansen was the State Pilot. He was also aboard the airplane when it went down

Buried at: Scotty Philip Cemetery, Fort Pierre, Stanley County, SD

Sioux Falls will never forget the day the plane went down and it truly is one of the darkest days in South Dakota’s history.

Sources: Roosevelt High School Yearbook 1995

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2018/04/18/darkest-days-mickelson-crash-still-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Mickelson

https://www.nga.org/governor/george-s-mickelson/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6802931/george-speaker-mickelson

https://www.keloland.com/news/gov-mickelson-7-others-remembered-25-years-after-pla

https://www.capjournal.com/news/looking-back-at-the-worst-plane-crash-in-state-history