(Big Horn Mountains, WY) – On September 2, the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office reported that a plane crash occurred in the Big Horn Mountains, which resulted in one death and three injuries.
In a release shared today, September 4, the Sheriff’s Office has identified the family members involved in the crash and provided additional details.
The release can be read in full below.
National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration investigators arrived in the area late Wednesday evening, September 2, 2025 and investigated the crash site on September 3, 2025 with the assistance of the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office.
The four passengers of the plane have been identified as a Boise, Idaho Family; 54-year-old Earl Palmer, 53-year-old Cindy Palmer, 11-year-old Aeron Palmer, and 13-year-old Amelia Palmer. Amelia Palmer was pronounced deceased at the scene.
On September 3, 2025, The Sheridan County Coroner released Amelia Palmer’s cause of death as blunt force trauma.
Earl and Cindy Palmer are currently receiving medical care in Billings, MT. Aeron Palmer has since been released from the hospital and is with family.
Shortly before the crash, the plane, a 1965 Piper 828 piloted by Earl Palmer, took off from the Sheridan County Airport with a final destination of Boise, Idaho.
The plane crash was reported at approximately 4:57 PM and Sheridan County Sheriff’s Deputies, Sheridan Area Search and Rescue, Wyoming Regional EMS, and First Flight from Greybull, WY all initially responded to the scene. Additional resources from the Wyoming Army National Guard, Bighorn National Forest Service, St. Vincent Help Flight, and the Sheridan County Coroner assisted with the incident.
“Our office would like to thank all of the agencies, rescuers, and medical personnel who worked tirelessly to rescue the Palmer Family and transport them to the hospital.” Sheridan County Sheriff Levi Dominguez said. “The collaboration from all the agencies, primarily coordinated by our Sheridan Area Search and Rescue, was nothing but extraordinary. We will continue to pray for the Palmer Family as they heal and grieve the loss of Amelia and pray for all those affected by this tragic accident.”
The NTSB and FAA will continue to investigate the cause of the crash and the NTSB will release those findings at a later date.