UND Student Dies in Accident; Flight Trainings Halted

The University of North Dakota halted all flight activities Tuesday after an aviation student died in an airplane crash that happened during a training flight Monday evening.

The accident occurred around 8:30 p.m. Monday in Trail County, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

The student pilot, identified by the university as 19-year-old John Hauser, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was a commercial aviation student from Chicago.

The crash is under investigation by the FAA and the North Dakota Highway Patrol with the assistance of the Trail County Sheriff’s Office.

Robert Kraus, dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, sent an email to students and school officials saying all flight training activities were to be halted Tuesday.

“Out of respect for the family, we stress that you should not speculate about this event and let the investigation takes its course,” he added, according to a report by NBC News.

The school also issued a statement saying counseling services would be made available to students.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to John’s family, friends, classmates, and fraternity brothers,”said UND President Andrew Armacost, in the statement. “They are all in our thoughts and prayers. The loss of a member of our UND community affects us all.”

A memorial was held Tuesday evening on the school’s campus.

“As we remember John Hauser and mourn his passing, opportunities to gather as a campus community can provide support and comfort as the loss of a friend affects us all,” the school said in a post on Facebook.