Two Kearney men killed in plane crash

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Two people were killed Wednesday in a plane crash northeast of Kearney, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office says.

At around 9:30 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration reported that it lost contact with a private plane heading to the Kearney Regional Airport.

Several local law enforcement agencies — including the Nebraska State Patrol and Kearney Police Department — started searching the area.

Authorities used drones, patrol vehicles and UTVs as part of the search.

At around 10 a.m. Thursday, first responders found the crash site near 145th and Imperial roads.

The two people inside the plane were found dead at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.

They have been identified as Dr. Mark Meyer, 77, and Kent Magnuson, 74, both of rural Kearney.

Autopsies have been ordered by investigation with by Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.