Plane crash in Montana woods located through use of smartwatch technology
In the early hours of Thursday, July 17, 2025, a small, single-engine Piper Cherokee aircraft departed from West Yellowstone Airport but failed to reach its destination. The wreckage was discovered in dense forest south of West Yellowstone, close to Yellowstone National Park.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of all three people onboard - Rodney Conover (60, from Tennessee), Madison Conover (23, also from Tennessee), and Kurt Enoch Robey (55, from Utah).
**Cause of the Crash Unknown**
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the cause of the crash, but no preliminary findings have been publicly released. There is no indication of any immediate mechanical failure, weather factors, or operator error, and no mention of any external or unusual cargo contributing to the accident.
**Recovery and Investigation**
Search-and-rescue teams located the crash site using data from a smartwatch worn by one of the victims. The FAA and NTSB continue to investigate, with no official statements or conclusions about the cause having been issued so far.
Local officials have expressed their gratitude to the involved agencies for their efforts in recovery and investigation.
**Summary**
| Date of Crash | Location | Type of Aircraft | Fatalities | Cause | Investigation Status | |----------------|--------------------------|--------------------|------------|---------------|--------------------------| | July 17, 2025 | Near West Yellowstone, MT| Piper PA-28 (Cherokee) | 3 | Not yet determined | Active by FAA/NTSB |
At this time, the cause of the Piper Cherokee crash near West Yellowstone remains under investigation, with no official determination made public. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims during this difficult time.
In the investigation process following the Piper Cherokee crash, no immediate indicators of mechanical failure, weather factors, operator error, or external cargo have been found. Locals are grateful for the search-and-rescue teams, who used smartwatch data to locate the crash site. This tragic accident took the lives of Rodney Conover, Madison Conover, and Kurt Enoch Robey, with ongoing investigations being led by the FAA and NTSB to determine the cause. Sports, general-news, weather, and other gadgets such as smartphones did not play a direct role in the crash.
