U.S. authorities announced on Monday that Doug Larsen, a senator from North Dakota, along with his wife and their two young children, were killed when the small plane they were on crashed shortly after they had stopped for fuel in Utah.

The plane crashed shortly after taking off from Canyonlands Airport, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of the resort town of Moab.

Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue said on the social media platform "X," "Senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children died in a plane crash last night in Utah while visiting family in Scottsdale and returning home, having stopped for fuel in Utah."

He added, "I'm not sure where to begin with such a tragedy, but I believe it starts with prayers for the grandparents, the surviving children of Senator Larsen's wife, and Doug and Amy's extended family."

A spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board said an investigator is expected to arrive at the scene "to start documenting the crash site, examining the aircraft, and requesting any communications for air traffic, radar data, weather reports, and attempting to contact any witnesses. The investigator will also request maintenance records for the aircraft, medical records, and the pilot's flight history."

Larsen served for 29 years in the North Dakota National Guard and was deployed in Iraq from 2009 to 2010 and in Washington, D.C. from 2013 to 2014, according to Governor Doug Burgum's office.

He received the Meritorious Service Medal, a Bronze Star, and an Army Aviator Badge among other honors.

The Republicans in the area will appoint a successor to fill Larsen's remaining term until November 2024, and his Senate seat is set to be voted on next year.